An artwork featuring thousands of doves symbolising peace and hope is to be installed at Rochester Cathedral.

Internationally-renowned sculptor and artist Peter Walker has created a massive flock of individually hand-made paper birds which will hang from the ceiling from February 11 to April 21.

But first visitors are invited to write their own message of hope on the wings of the doves which will be included in the final piece.

The Very Rev Dr Philip Hesketh, Dean of Rochester Cathedral, said: "In a world of constant conflict, the need to work and pray for peace should be central to our lives. This artwork provides a visible expression for our hopes and dreams for a better world."

Peace Doves has been on display across the UK with adaptations on display at Liverpool and Sheffield cathedrals.

Walker has worked in private and public collections worldwide and his bronze public statues are in permanent locations around the country.

It's the latest in a series of exhibitions staged in Rochester, the second oldest cathedral in England.

In October, a sound and light show showcased the beauty of the planet in the autumn.

Life, an illuminations display from the team behind the sell-out Space Voyage display, wowed visitors for five nights.

In another display, an art installation – Gaia – showed the planet Earth from a new perspective and got people thinking about their place and impact on it.

And a giant crazy golf course in the nave aimed to attract young people into the ancient place of worship but caused controversy among some more conservative churchgoers.