by Graham Tutthillgtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

A sculpture of a young Jewish peasant girl lifting the baby Jesus on high is to be dedicated at a Dover church this Sunday.

This lime wood sculpture by Ashford artist Michael Rust will be dedicated during the Eucharist Service at St Mary's Church in Dover.

Standing 90 centimetres tall on a custom-made oak stand, the sculpture was carved from a single block of lime wood sourced from East Kent.

It has been commissioned by the Rev Dr Michael Hinton and given to the church in memory of his wife Jean.

Mr Rust said he had asked for a "joyful Mary".

"So I created a young Jewish peasant girl, 'materially poor, but rich in spirit', lifting the baby Jesus high, with mother and child smiling joyfully at each other," he said.

Sunday's service starts at 10.45am.

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