A HEREFORDSHIRE church has installed an icon of its namesake who became a saint.

The Rev Michael Cluett, of St Lawrence Church in Canon Pyon, commissioned the painting of St Lawrence, who was martyred in Rome in AD 258.

Mr Cluett said: “The church is dedicated to St Lawrence but we had nothing in the church of him.

“We thought it would be good to make an icon of him and after seeing the new icons of Ethelbert in Hereford Cathedral, we got in touch with the artist.”

Artist Peter Murphy used traditional medieval techniques and materials such as gold leaf to create the authentic icon.

The cost has been met through fundraising and, this weekend, the church is holding its annual flower festival, from 10am until 6pm.