EVERY year millions of people from all over the world make the trek to the French holy site of Lourdes.

Some make the trip to the site where Catholics believe the Virgin Mary appeared in the 19th Century, hoping for a miracle cure.

Others go there for the opportunity to see the world- famous site in all its glory.

But for one Swindon woman a visit to Lourdes is an annual fixture in her calendar.

Laura Gibson, 89, of Eastcott Hill, has been organising visits to the religious site for 39 years.

Now plans are afoot for her 40th trip - and she cannot wait.

"I'm so excited to be going for the 40th time," she said.

"I've only missed one year in all that time.

"I really enjoy arranging the trip and this one should be another enjoyable occasion. People have said they think our lady seems to have picked me to organise this special trip and that I'm their inspiration.

"It is such a beautiful place to go to, you just can't imagine. Words cannot describe how magical it is - you just have to visit."

Laura, who has been suffering from heart trouble and an over-active thyroid, thinks her upcoming trip will act as the perfect tonic.

It is said that peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous had a vision of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858.

Great grandmother Laura's first visit to the shrine was in 1968.

She took a small group of friends and family to Lourdes and found the experience so overwhelming she decided to make her pilgrimage an annual event.

On an early visit she had a brush with the shrine's reputed healing properties when her injured hand recovered soon after she touched the waters at the shrine.

This year Laura plans to take a wheelchair along - but does not expect she will need to use it.

She will turn 90 on January 14 next year but has never lost her enthusiasm for travelling to France with others following her lead.

"There are people coming from America and India as well as Oxford, Cambridge and Swindon," she said.

The coach party will stay in a hotel with views over the Pyrenees mountains and the trip will run from August 23 to 29. There are still five places available on the 54-seated capacity bus.

For more information and to book a place on the bus, please ring Laura on 01793 487821.