A church in Yorkshire has unveiled stone tributes to author C.S. Lewis.
St Mary's Church in Beverley, east Yorkshire, had the statues blessed by the Bishop of Hull, who said she thought it was one of the most joyful things she'd been invited to do as Bishop.
The 14 carvings feature characters from Lewis' Narnia books: Aslan, the White Witch, Mr Tumnus, Jewel, Shift, Maugrim, Fledge, Glimfeather, Ginger, Trufflehunter, Farsight, Glenstorm, Slinkey and Reepicheep the mouse from Prince Caspian.
They are just a small part of a bigger restoration project at St Mary's, with the carvings replacing ones which were so worn that it wasn't even possible to tell what they depicted.
The Narnia series has many Biblical themes, such as atonement, sacrifice, temptation and redemption. Rev Beckey Lumley said of the Narnia series: "These books are not just for children, they contain incredible truth which help many Christians today reflect on our own understanding of God and faith."
The ceremony to bless them was attended by the team of stonemasons from Matthias Garn & Partner who created them and who are restoring the rest of the church's stonework. One of the sculptors, Kibby Schaefer, was also given the Bishop's staff to hold as Bishop Alison prayed.
"Lord God, our Creator, we give thanks that you make yourself known to us in story and in stone. We praise you for the gifts of art, imagination and craftmanship. We pray that in our day, and in all the times to come, you would make yourself known and draw us to the eternal love and life of your son Jesus Christ."
The carvings will be displayed in the window of Streamers, an empty shop unit opposite church until 10th September and installed high up on the exterior of the church in the autumn.
