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The village - world-famous as the birthplace of the Church of England separatists or ‘pilgrims’ who sailed for the new world to start a new life - plans historical talks every month until September.

The parish council hope to host a concert by American blues and jazz musician Luke Winslow-King during Scrooby Village Show during September 5-6 - marking the day the villagers set sail from Plymouth.

As part of preparations the parish council are building a block of toilets with exterior access on the town hall for the benefit of all the American tourists they expect to host during the coming months.

An engraving of Scrooby as it was in William Brewster's day

Scrooby parish councillor Ed Marshall, who is coordinating the six-month festival, told how ‘half a dozen’ busloads of people from the United States turned up in the village every year - while a ‘high proportion’ made their way on their own.

However he expected a lot more to arrive in the next few months.

He said: “Everyone talks about Plymouth but that doesn’t tell the heart of the story.

“Americans want to know what happened in Scrooby where the guys who organised it lived.

American ambassador Kingman Brewster with his wife during a visit to Scrooby in 1979

“If you’re an American at all interested in history you want to know where Scrooby is.

“So we’re trying to make the village more open to them when they arrive.”

Mayflower 400 events get underway this month

As part of the arrangements the county council will be resurfacing roads and installing heritage lamp posts.

However Ed said there were also plans to have a memorial built honouring William Brewster - a Scrooby villager who later became senior elder and the leader of the colonists’ community.

At present visitors can view Brewster’s former home Scrooby Manor House - which is now privately-owned - but there is no other monument to him.

Speakers planned so far include Randal Charlton - whose father built a replica of the Mayflower - and pilgrims historian Dr Jeremy Bangs.

To help raise money for the commemorations a number of bar nights will also be held at the village hall.

The first is set to go ahead on Friday March 6 from 5.30pm.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to try the first cask of a commemorative beer brewed by Pheasantry Breweries - named Pilgrims Ale.

For more information about upcoming events in Scrooby click HERE.

Concerts, talks and pilgrim beer as Scrooby celebrates Mayflower 400