A new statue of St Felix, who established Christianity in East Anglia in the seventh century, has been officially blessed at the town's Catholic church by Bishop Peter Collins, Roman Catholic bishop of the region.

The ceremony took place during a visit by the bishop to "confirm" seven candidates at a service where baptised Christians reaffirm their commitment to the faith.

Canon John Barnes, parish priest at St Felix RC Church, Gainsborough Road, said the statue had been carved in the Tyrol region of Europe.

He added: "St Felix is shown vested as a bishop. He was the first Bishop of East Anglia. He's s depicted carrying a book, the Book of the Gospels, which he brought to our shores, and also a model church, reminding us that he established the Catholic Church in East Anglia."