Canvey residents have come up with a novel way to mark the 400th anniversary of the first English translation of Bible...reading it non-stop, cover-to-cover over four days and nights.

Members of the island’s community, and beyond, will get-together and take it in turns to recite 20-minute extracts of the King James Bible at St Nicholas’ Church, in Long Road.

The marathon read will start at 10.30am tomorrow and is anticipated to finish by 8.30am on Sunday.

Among those pencilled in to take part are schoolchildren, teachers, residents, the Bishop of Chelmsford the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, Castle Point’s MP Rebecca Harris, mayor David Cross and Canvey councillor Ray Howard.

The Rev Marion Walford, who helped organise the event, said: “Canvey’s a very special place, because the people have such a strong sense of community.

“This doesn’t just have to be a church event, it can be a chance for everyone on the island to join in the celebrations.

“The King James Bible was the first in English, which meant ordinary people could understand what was being said for the first time. It changed the world forever.

“We will actually be reading a modern day version, because we need to present it in a way that is easily understandable to people today.

“Once you start using old fashioned words like ‘thou’ people switch off really, even though the language used in the original was beautiful.”

The King James Bible was the first to be translated into English in 1611.

The rev Walford, 56, of Ruskoi Road, Canvey, who has lived on Canvey since she was seven years-old, promoted the special reading by appearing on the roof of the new Castle View School, off Foksville Road, yesterday afternoon.

She said: “I originally liked the idea of going up on the crane at the building site.

“But I was told that wouldn’t be possible, so I’m pleased they let me stand on the roof. The views were absolutely amazing.

“I think the builders working on the site wondered what I was doing.

“Seeing a vicar on the roof probably doesn’t happen every day!”