A new statue of Our Lady of Grace is to be unveiled at St Mary At The Elms Church, in Ipswich, at a multi-faith dedication ceremony on Tuesday.

A plaque in the centre of Ipswich marks the site of the original 12th-century shrine - which was an important place of pilgrimage.

Marie Heley, of the Meryemana Foundation, said she hoped the statue would become a focus for prayers for world peace.

The statue was carved 10 years ago

The foundation, which promotes Christian unity, has worked for 25 years to get a new shrine dedicated.

The original statue is now in Italy, but a new version was commissioned from a local sculptor 10 years ago.

It is 5ft tall, made of carved oak wood, and depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the baby Jesus.

It has spent most of the past 10 years in the sculptor's wardrobe.

Marie Heley said: "We hope that people will come and visit this statue - which is very calm, very beautiful - in this lovely church here.

"And we hope they will pray as we pray for the unity of Christians and for the peace of the whole world."