EXACTLY 250 years after the composer Handel died a Hampshire church is staging a musical spectacular.

Holy Trinity Church at Gosport, will on Tuesday, April 14, be playing host to a 16- piece orchestra – the size of orchestra that Handel intended –and a large choir for an historic performance of his magnificent Messiah.

The 17th century church in Haslar Road has a Handel organ dating back to 1720.

Admission will be free and all the performers are appearing free of charge. There will be a plate by the door at the end for voluntary contributions to the £150,000 appeal to restore the historic organ.

It was launched last July by Pam Rhodes of BBC TV’s Songs of Praise.

The concert starts at 7.30pm.