ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu is heading for Wiltshire.

The internationally renowned cleric will appear at Salisbury's International Arts Festival this summer.

The South African shot to fame in the 1980s when he spoke out against apartheid.

During his visit to the city the Nobel Peace Laureate will be in conversation with ITV news anchorman Mark Austin at the City Hall.

He will also deliver a sermon in the city's cathedral, and during his visit to the church he will be made a Sarum Canon.

The Archbishop's presence will be central to a peace weekend being run in the city over three days of the festival in June.

The Archbishop's visit was secured after months of hard work which involved festival director Jo Metcalf, Salisbury Community Choir's musical director Fiona Clarke and the cathedral authorities.

The possibility of the trip was floated when the Community Choir toured Cape Town last spring.

At the time Jo flew out to South Africa to meet officials.

The Archbishop's visit will coincide with the arrival of the 77-strong Fezeka children's choir from the township of Gugulethu.

During their time in Salisbury they will perform Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace, in the cathedral with the Salisbury Cathedral Choir during the festival, under the name The Rainbow Choir.

Speaking at the festival launch, Jo said: "It was Archbishop Tutu who coined the phrase Rainbow Nation for post-apartheid South Africa.

"And we know that he is extremely supportive of the Rainbow Choir project."

It is hoped that Archbishop Tutu will have a chance to have tea with the children and hear them sing while he is staying in Wiltshire.