ONE of the largest and most important cathedral sculptures in the country has been revealed in its full glory for the first time.

The Healing of the Nations at Blackburn Cathedral., which is eight metres in diameter and weighs seven tons, was designed by acclaimed international artist Mark Jalland as a reflection of a passage from Revelations.

The £100,000 sculpture, funded by a European grant, is the largest built within any cathedral in the United Kingdom in the last 50 years. The last cathedral sculpture on such a scale was in the new Coventry Cathedral.

The unique work of art, mounted on the east end of the building, was "switched on" to reveal the fibre optics which emit a spectrum of light through the sculptures outer shell to bring the giant structure to life.

Traditionally a stained glass window would reflect a spectrum of light into the building but this sculpture projects the light out in a kaleidoscope of colour.

The crowd of onlookers at the switching on were first entertained by the Kerosene dancers before being read the appropriate Bible passage by the Dean of Blackburn the Very Reverend David Frayne who conceived the project idea.

He said: "This is principally a Christian sculpture but given its setting in the heart of a multi-cultural community it is intended to resonate with people of other faiths."

Artist Mark Jalland, who currently teaches art in Holland, said: "I was really surprised when they asked me to do this."