An art installation enjoyed by more than 20 million visitors around the world will be coming to East Lancashire for a whole month later this year.

Luke Jerram’s 'Museum of the Moon' arrives at Blackburn Cathedral on November 5, and will be on display until December 2.

The sculpture, which is 23 feet (seven metres) in diameter, is a to-scale replica of the Moon’s surface created using NASA imagery, and each centimetre of the internally-lit sphere represents three miles (5km) of lunar terrain.

It includes well known areas such as the Sea of Tranquillity - where the first Moon landings took place - and the huge South Pole-Aitken Basin impact crater.

Ahead of the installation, the Very Revd. Peter Howell-Jones, Dean of Blackburn, said: "This incredible work of art.

"When combined with the awe-inspiring architecture of Lancashire’s Cathedral, it will offer people of the region a unique opportunity to get up close to the Moon and we hope that it will be enjoyed by as many people as possible."

The installation has recently been showcased at Bolton Library and Rotherham Cathedral earlier this year.

(Image: NQ)

This artistic fusion of lunar imagery and magical moonlight is accompanied by a surround sound musical composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer, Dan Jones.

It is hoped the unique opportunity to see this world famous art installation suspended over the Nave of Blackburn Cathedral will also 'see visitors contemplating and celebrating their place in the universe'.

Along with daytime and evening viewings of the Moon, and in addition to regular worship, a diverse programme of special events is planned to include live music concerts, choral performances, yoga and tai chi, talks and silent discos, classical concerts and theatre productions. 

(Image: NQ)

Throughout the exhibition there is no charge for daytime entry to the Cathedral, although a suggested donation of £3 to £5 per person is encouraged, which will go towards the cost of hosting the event and the upkeep of Blackburn Cathedral.

Further details and the full events calendar can be found on Blackburn Cathedral's website.