THERE will be plenty of history to inspire visitors heading to the town's centuries-old churches as part of the four-day Heritage Open Days festival starting today.

The 10 churches taking part include Christ Church in Christchurch Road, which was deigned by architect Henry Woodyer and is marking its 150th anniversary, open on Saturday from 10am-6pm.

St Giles in Southampton Street, one of three medieval parish churches in the town, was given to Reading Abbey by Pope Clement III in 1191 and will open from 10am-5pm on Saturday and noon-2pm on Sunday.

Sacristan Geoff Cantebury said: "It's a very fine specimen of a building. From the outside it does not look very big but when you step inside it opens up, it's a very beautiful calming place to spend time."

St Luke's in Erleigh Road, an example of work by Victorian architect JP St Aubyn, will open on Saturday from 10am-4pm, along with the 1879-built St Bartholomew's in St Bartholomew's Road.

Grade II-listed Polish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Watlington Street - formerly St John's Anglican church - opens on Saturday and Sunday from 1-5pm, and there will be a guide at Greyfriars Church in Friar Street, built by Franciscans in 1311, tomorrow (Friday) from noon-4pm, Saturday from 10.30am-3.30pm and Sunday from 2-4pm.

St James' in Forbury Road, a rare example of Pugin's early Norman style, will have guides from 11am-4pm on Saturday and 2-4pm on Sunday, the 12th Century St Laurence's in Friar Street is open on Saturday from 10am-3pm, while Reading Minister will welcome the public today and tomorrow from 11am-3pm and Saturday, from 10am-4pm.

Tours and an exhibition will be running at the unusual late 18th Century chapel, St Mary's Episcopal Church in Castle Street, today from 10am-2pm, tomorrow from 10am-4pm and Saturday from 9.30am-4pm.

*READING'S modern landmarks and museum are also taking part in Heritage Open Days.

Reading Football Club is running behind the scenes tours of the Madejski Stadium on Sunday at 10am, 11am, noon and 1pm, while guides will show people round the Green Park wind turbine on Saturday at 11am.

The RISC roof garden in London Street will also be open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday from noon-4pm, when there will be demonstrations of renewable energy, water harvesting and irrigation systems. The plants comes from around the world and are useful for food, clothing or medicine.

The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) is teaming up with Friends of University of Reading to offer heritage trails from 3-4pm today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. It includes tours of MERL's Victorian home and a trip to the University's original campus in London Road.

Nearby, the Royal Berkshire Hospital Medical Museum, based in the old laundry, will be open to groups of 20 on Saturday and Sunday, from 2-4.30pm. The museum is home to an extensive collection of medical, surgical, dental, pharmaceutical and nursing equipment as well as photographs and archived documents.

*READING has been taking part in the nationwide Heritage Open Days festival since it was founded in 1994. It is being co-ordinated by Reading UK CIC, with more than 40 events, ranging from tours and open days at some of the town's most historic landmarks to vintage craft workshops and live music.

Visitors can vote for their favourite Heritage Open Days venue by visiting Reading's official Facebook page (facebook.com/readingheritageopendays) to be in with a chance to win a year's National Trust membership.

Some events require booking and have age restriction. For full details see www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/laa/reading