Swing installed in cathedral to encourage play

A swing has been installed inside Leicester Cathedral to highlight the importance of play for people's wellbeing, including adults.

The installation, by artist Mandeep Dhadialla, also includes an indoor garden complete with flowers, foliage and wildlife, all made from paper.

Ms Dhadialla says "it has taken a village to put this together", and describes the response to the project so far as "brilliant".

Running alongside the installation, which is free to visit, are a series of events including craft and play sessions, as well as a film screening.

Ms Dhadialla created the suspended paper garden with flowers, foliage, and wildlife to surround the swing

Ms Dhadialla, a Kenyan-born British-Indian artist and printmaker who lives in Leicester, told the BBC: "We forget to play when we're growing up.

"There's so much of life happening that we forget, and it's nice to be reminded as adults and to see children having a swing as well, to kind of foster all of that and remind ourselves and reconnect."

The installation is open daily until 31 October between 09:30 to 16:30 BST, though there may be exceptions to this due to cathedral services.

The Very Reverend Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester and leader of the cathedral, says: "We are a cathedral for everyone.

"We really want this building to be available to everyone in the city and county, to feel that this is space that people can come and be in, that they can find a sense of calm and peace.

"We want people to pray and connect with god, but we also want people to enjoy their visit."

The Very Rev Rooms said the cathedral had been "a little bit busier" since the installation had been installed, and confirmed that she had been on the swing.

Additional reporting by Matt Smith