AN official portrait of the Bishop of Worcester has been unveiled.

The portrait of Bishop John was painted in oil by Worcester-based local artist Francesca Currie, and the portrait has been unveiled at the Old Palace - the office for Worcester Diocese and the Bishop of Worcester, where it will be hung.

Bishop John has been painted sitting on a wooden chair which once belonged to his grandfather and is pictured in his cassock.

Bishop John sat for the artist for a three hour session after which she was able to work with photographs she took during the session.

The artist is a former pupil of the Alice Ottley School and has recently been made an Associate of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.

“It was a real honour when Bishop John asked me to paint his official portrait," she said.

"Whilst he sat for me, I started to get to know him.

"Before long is was apparent that he’s a man of great understanding and kindness and he also has a wonderful sense of humour.

"It was important to me that this came through in the painting. Bishop John brought his grandfather’s chair as a prop, this worked well as it was quite regal in height, suitable of an official portrait.

"The frame needed to carry elements of the traditional while working with a contemporary piece. I would like to thank Bevere Art Gallery for all their help with this.

"I hope that once it is hung in the Old Palace, many others will enjoy the portrait too.”

Bishop John added: “It’s traditional for bishops to have their portraits painted, but I’ve been putting it off until I found someone to paint it in whom I had complete confidence.

"I chose Fran after being impressed with her portrait of someone I knew and I’m delighted to be able to support a talented up and coming local artist.

"Fran has done an excellent job, particularly with such unpromising material.”

He added that everyone was welcome to come and see the portrait.