A SELF-TAUGHT sculptor’s unique model of Christ is to go on display at Worcester Cathedral from Friday (April 4).

Alan Jones, 67, moved to Steynton from north Wales two years ago. His two-foot bronze sculpture of ‘Christ proffering the Cross’ is at the Cathedral until April 22.

The modern abstract image is of Christ as a peacemaker, bearing forgiveness and reconciliation by offering the cross as a symbol of Christianity.

About five years ago, Alan patented the image across Europe and the USA.

“Nobody has ever seen an image like this before,” said Alan. “People have only ever seen Christ suffering on the cross or carrying it to Calvary.

“There are no images of Christ proffering the cross - there’s not one image like this in the world.”

The idea came to Alan when he was working as an estate agent in north Wales.

“I was selling off a lot of churches and chapels,” he said. “One of the churches I sold used to have a 700-strong congregation, but when it was sold there were just three people left.”

The sculpture is intended to stir a reaction and boost dwindling church numbers.

“As a sculptor you always want to make a difference and this is my way,” he said. “If we get more people going to churches then they can stay open.”

He added: “We grow up with Christianity at school but people lapse and yet they still want their weddings and funerals organised in a Christian way.”

And the Cathedral is the perfect spot to showcase Alan’s work.

“It’s just wonderful really,” he said. “Worcester Cathedral is just so ornate, so large and so cared for. It’s very special for me to have my work on display there.