If you head down to St Michael’s church in Kingsteignton on September 14, you’ll be in for a big surprise.

As well as a teddy bear’s picnic, you’ll find daring soft toys bracing themselves ready to parachute off the top of the church tower.

The event is part of a Devon Historic Churches Day, which celebrates the work of churches across the county and raises money to help maintain these historic landmarks.

Any brave teddy bears that are up for the challenge in Kingsteignton should register in the morning, ready for the drop at 2pm.

St Michael’s will be open throughout the day and visitors will be able to take a trip up the tower, visit the art exhibition, see a model operational train and listen to live music. As well as a short service of blessing there will also be a teddy bears breakfast and picnic lunch and afternoon tea.

St Michael’s is not the only church opening its doors to celebrate Historic Churches Day. In Teignmouth, Andy Harding is doing a sponsored walk from St Michael’s to St Nectan’s in Ashcombe, via all eight churches in the Haldon Mission community. He is particularly keen to raise money for the Devon Historical Churches Trust to help fund the essential repair of the unique roof lantern in the octagonal nave at St James’ in Teignmouth.

Many churches are opening their towers, so you can enjoy stunning views of the countryside. These include the churches of St Mary in Kingskerswell, St Michael in Ilsington and St Gregory in Dawlish.

For those who prefer to enjoy the view closer to ground level, Buckland-in-the-Moor will be worth a visit to see the stunning dahlia festival.

Other churches opening their doors on Saturday September 14 are: St John in Bishopsteignton; St Paul in Chudleigh Knighton; St Blaise in Haccombe; St Mary in Ideford and St John in Luton; St Andrew in Ipplepen; St Andrew in Moretonhampstead; St Clements in Powderham; St Peter in Shaldon; St George in Shllingford; and St Michael in Trusham. Most will be offering refreshments.