THE new Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, will bless specially-commissioned artwork at Radcliffe Parish Church on Sunday (March 9).

The bishop has given permission for the church to install an aumbr, a small safe where bread and wine consecrated by a priest during Holy Communion are stored, in a side chapel. The aumbry, set into the wall, is covered by a panel, designed and painted by Ilkley artist Graeme Willson, whose work can be found in York Minster and Windsor Castle.

In addition, above the altar in the side chapel, the church has placed a large painting by Mr Willson. It is entitled The Mystic Rose, in honour of its patron saint, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the church has been dedicated for more than 700 years.

Vicar Bryan Hackett said: "Our church building, one of only a dozen or so medieval ones in this diocese, has been enhanced for eight centuries by people of generosity and imagination, and now at the start of the 21st century, we can make a contribution to that living tradition, by introducing art that is both contemporary and traditional at the same time."

The blessing will take place at 7pm at the end of the Evensong service.