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Peace Doves in pictures as Durham Cathedral launches summer attraction that's 'full of awe and wonder'

Thousands of people share their hopes and wishes through a mass-participation artwork now hanging inside Durham Cathedral and on show to visitors until September

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A huge community of people - from children to prisoners - have come together to help create a "wonderful" new art installation which is now on show inside Durham Cathedral.

Peace Doves, the brainchild of artist Peter Walker, is the result of months of work during which local people, community groups and visitors to the city landmark, were invited to write messages of hope, love and peace on paper doves. The result is between 14,000 and 15,000 hand-made birds which are now suspended from the cathedral nave, creating an immersive artwork accompanied by lights and music.

Charlie Allen, the canon chancellor at Durham Cathedral, called the result "wonderful", adding: "It's so full of awe and wonder; it's amazing." Peter Walker, from Staffordshire, has run Peace Doves projects now at a number of venues and says the result here is different, in that many people's messages were focused upon family.

Other wishes on the paper birds include wider prayers and hopes for peace around the world. Peace Doves can be seen in Durham until September 4.

Visitors can view if for free during the cathedral's opening hours while also on offer are special Peace Doves at Night experiences, with tickets available to book for £5, free to under-18s, to see the doves illuminated against the evening backdrop of the cathedral. During these sessions, visitors also will have opportunities to see the Durham Cathedral in LEGO display; climb its Central Tower and enjoy a hot drink.

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