HINDU Sukhi Gohel has a congregation of saints looking over him while he sleeps.

The father-of-three couldn't believe his eyes when he stripped off his bedroom wallpaper - and uncovered a huge religious mural.

The scene, which covers the entire wall, shows Jesus with seven of his disciples.

Said Sukhi from Old Gates Drive, Darwen: "This is the first time we have done any decorating and we were amazed to find this work of art as we pulled back the paper. There is no signature on it and we'd love to know who painted it."

Sukhi's wife, Mandula, added: "We plan to restore the mural before putting up the new wallpaper. I was a bit frightened when I saw all those people staring back at me but I'm happy to know God has been watching over my home for so long." The couple were even more surprised when they realised the image of Jesus bore an uncanny resemblance to Sukhi in his wedding photograph which has hung on the wall for 20 years!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.