A SERIES of portraits of Jesus Christ which explore the themes of immortality and resurrection are on display at Blackburn Cathedral throughout February.

Entitled The Phoenix Series, they were inspired by the mythological bird that consumed itself by fire every 500 years, with a new phoenix springing from the ashes.

The artist Penny Warden has used Christian images of death and crucifixion, without a cross, to suggest the possibility of a phoenix-like resurrection.

The series has been supported by a grant from the Christian Arts Trust.

The paintings are touring all England's major cathedrals.