A VICAR from Warminster is aiming to tackle the controversy surrounding The Da Vinci Code before the blockbuster film is released later this month.

A question and answer session and a National Geographic documentary on Dan Brown's novel will be screened at Christ Church in Weymouth Street on Wednesday.

The Rev Tim Smith decided to hold the evening after reading the book and discovering a host of inaccuracies.

Mr Smith, 47, of Brook Close, Warminster, said: "I think the book is creating confusion. It's a good holiday read but there are so many inaccuracies. "I have no objections to people reading the book, but sometimes they forget it is a novel. Some people believe all of it, some people believe some of it, but I think a fairly large part of it is complete twaddle."

Christ Church has a Victorian mosaic of Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper, which is central to the book's claims that Jesus and Mary Magdalene had a child and their bloodline survives to this day.

Mr Smith, who is curate of the Anglican church, thought the release of the film was the perfect opportunity to clarify some of the issues in the book, as they have such a good example of the painting for people to see. He has contacted other churches in the area and is hoping other clergy members will come along and take part.

"People in and outside the church have questions about the book and I would encourage people to come who just want things explained to them before they go and see the movie," he said. One of the inaccuracies spotted by Mr Smith surrounded the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. The author said they married in Westminster Abbey instead of St Paul's Cathedral.

He also noted claims about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Egyptian Scrolls were also false. Christ Church was reopened about a year ago after extensive refurbishment and the Victorian mosaic of the Last Supper is a prominent feature of the interior of the church.

The church has a large screen and sound system with comfortable chairs. The free screening and question and answer session will be held at 7.30pm on May 3. The film, based on the book will be in UK cinemas from May 19, starring Tom Hanks.