Cardinal Thomas Wolsey statue unveiled in Ipswich

A bronze statue of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey has been unveiled in Ipswich town centre.

David Annand was commissioned to make the £90,000 sculpture celebrating one of Suffolk's most famous sons.

"The reaction from the crowd was very moving and I think it'll be fine in this setting," he said.

The artwork is at the junction of Silent Street and St Peter's Street near to the spot where Wolsey is believed to have lived.

A crowd of about 300 people were there for the ceremony, which featured an actor dressed as Wolsey and Tudor musicians.

Mr Annand said: "We knew it was a wonderful setting because it has Tudor houses around it that Wolsey would have known.

'Approachable figure'

"I think it would have been vulgar if it had been any bigger.

"It had been nerve-wracking but the comments I heard were very reassuring and I'm very happy with the end result."

Dr John Blatchly, project chairman of patrons, said: "The unveilers gasped as we pulled the cloth off and it's a very approachable figure.

"It's so very much better than I first imagined it would be when we first thought of the project 12 years ago.

"At every step of the way we've had an agreement on the detail and it's got better and better."

The Right Reverend Nigel Stock, Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, who was also at the unveiling, said: "I saw a drawing of it, then a model, but to see the actual statue exceeds expectations.

"It's a lovely bit of work and it's great that it's right here for the people of Ipswich to see.

"It's not just any old statue. It's contemporary and it'll make you stop and look."