AS CHURCHGOERS visit Romsey Abbey for Christmas they may notice a new addition to the congregation – a new sculpture of Jesus.

Showing Christ as triumphant king on the cross, it was created by Peter Eugene Ball who also made their statue of St Nicholas.

Carved from a piece of oak and wrapped in gold leaf and burnished copper, the Abbey’s new Jesus incorporates silver flowers which pick out a pattern from the tiles on the floor of St Anne’s chapel, where the sculpture has been placed.

Peter has made 60 religious sculptures for churches and cathedrals across the UK, 14 of which can be found in Winchester. It was paid for by donations from the families of Joyce Hauser and Bruce and Barbara Norton-Amor after Joyce and Bruce died last year.

As well as being regular churchgoers, Mr and Mrs Norton-Amor were often seen helping at the Abbey’s gift stall and Bruce worked as a guide and steward.