'Breathtaking' new artwork with 9,000 paper doves

About 9,000 paper peace doves have been hung from the ceiling of an abbey as part of a new "breathtaking" art installation.

The paper birds in Tewkesbury Abbey, in Gloucestershire, have been decorated with messages of "love and peace" by local schools, community groups and residents.

Organisers said the Peace Doves, by local artist Peter Walker, have been brought to life using a sound and light show.

Reverend Canon Nick Davies said it is a unique piece of work.

The doves have been decorated with messages of peace from local schools and groups

"It looks extremely striking," he said.

"The sound and light display, which will come in the evenings, will have some specially composed music accompanying it and some special effects.

"I think it will be that much more striking.

Reverend Canon Nick Davies said it is a "striking" art piece

"Each paper dove has a message written on it of people's thoughts about peace.

"That's then assembled into this massive installation ...and provides us with entertainment for the whole of February."

The doves have been "brought to life" using sound and lighting

Caroline Baldwin said her 10-year-old son wrote a message on one of the doves.

"He said something like, 'wouldn't' it be nice if people were nice'.

"His message was about people being nice and kind with each other," she said.

"It's lovely that children are involved in the artwork and it helps them be more aware so they can articulate their hopes. I think that's lovely."

Caroline Baldwin said it is a "lovely" art installation

She said her son's school, Mitton Manor Primary School, did a really big push for its pupils to take part.

"I think it's great. You walk in and it's just breathtaking, it's really picturesque."

The paper doves have been hung from the ceiling of Tewkesbury Abbey

The Peace Doves art installation at Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire runs until 27 February.