COMEDY star Lenny Henry is visiting Cross to take part in a tribute to Frankie Howerd's classic sitcom Up Pompeii. The Roman Evening in the grounds of Frankie Howerd's former home, Wavering Down, is planned to coincide with Axbridge Blackberry Carnival's

COMEDY star Lenny Henry is visiting Cross to take part in a tribute to Frankie Howerd's classic sitcom Up Pompeii.The Roman Evening in the grounds of Frankie Howerd's former home, Wavering Down, is planned to coincide with Axbridge Blackberry Carnival's Up Pompeii themed parade.Guests have been asked to turn up dressed in togas and Roman uniforms to the event, which will be filmed by crews from BBC and Granada.Lenny Henry is due to be at the event as part of a documentary he is presenting on the comedy map of Britain.The event has been organised by Howerd's former partner, Dennis Heymer, and nurse Chris Byrne who live at Wavering Down. Guests will be presented with Roman dishes and entertained with a star-studded re-creation of an episode from Up Pompeii. Chris says the well-known actors are being kept a secret after requests from the programme makers.He said: "The Roman Evening is going to be fantastic and Frankie would have loved it."We're holding the event in Dennis' honour because he bought the rights for Up Pompeii from America."We decided to hold the event in Cross to coincide with the carnival in Axbridge and all the money we raise will go to charity."During filming for the Granada documentary, Dennis talks about his relationship with Frankie for the first time.The 80-year-old was Frankie's partner for 36 years and also his agent until the star died in 1992.Chris said: "The filming got very emotional and Dennis talks about his love for Frankie. They had a relationship for 36 years and he even tried to give him the kiss of life when he died."Tickets for the event cost £15 with profits going towards the South West Children's Hospice. For more details call 01934 732013.