A statue of an Amazonian love god – deemed offensive by some Christians – has been unveiled in Wakefield – and the addition has been welcomed by the dean.

The bronze sculpture, created by Jason Wilsher-Mills, is located close to the cathedral. 

The sculptor said the work was inspired by his own parents' love story, and the overarching message is simply “love and hope,” the BBC reports.

However, in the planning stages some believers objected to the artwork, saying it was offensive to Christians. 

The council received dozens of complaints from people of the Christian faith. 

He says the overarching message is simply “love and hope,” the BBC reports.

It’s part of an artwork trail that will take tourists through Wakefield, believed to have cost in excess of £1m.

Speaking to the local democracy reporting service,  Very Rev Simon Cowling – dean of Wakefield Cathedral – said: "I warmly encourage members of the Christian community in Wakefield to engage seriously with what Jason Wilsher-Mills is seeking to say through his sculpture; how he deftly weaves together themes of family, place, disability, the care of God's creation, love, loss, humour and hope.

"None of these themes are in opposition to anything I find in Christianity."