BLACKBURN Cathedral is preparing to put up its new sculpture.

The 'Healing of Nations' will be placed on the external east end gable of the Cathedral on August 26.

It will emit patterns of light from hydraulically powered fibre optics.

And, with a diameter of eight metres, it will be one of the largest Cathedral sculptures in the country.

The £100,000 cost was met by the European Development Fund, after the Cathedral worked in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council to secure the funds.

And they want the innovative artwork to become a major visitor attraction.

But for now its temporary home is a patch of grass on the Cathedral grounds until it is ready to be hoisted up.

Mark Jalland, its creator, has work to finish on the piece and will be at the Cathedral over the next month getting it ready for the grand opening.

He was commissioned after working on two sculptures on Roman Road and helping the town's Groundworks team.

He said the project is his biggest challenge.

He said: "I was intrigued to be invited to do this piece because my work is not the kind which normally lends itself to this kind of building.

"But there was a big budget and a big challenge and I felt I had nothing to lose.

"This is my largest, and most ambitious commission yet.

"But I also feel it's the best piece of work I've done."