'Face of Jesus' on hawthorn tree

The image has been described as a revelation and a miracle

An image of Jesus found on a hawthorn tree in West Sussex has been described as a miracle and a revelation.

Non-practising Hindu Sewdutt Maunick saw the markings on the trunk as he relaxed in his garden in Burgess Hill.

He told his wife he had seen the figure of a man, but when she looked she knew it was the face of Jesus.

The couple called in pastor Elaine Thomas who said it was a revelation from God. Mr Maunick says his family feels honoured to have witnessed it.

He said: "Something was actually urging me to come to this end of the garden because we never actually sit here.

"Suddenly I rushed to call my wife, Vijayantimala, and said 'look, I have seen this figure of a man, come and look.

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"She came over and said she could see it, at which point she was very clear that it was Jesus.

"She was thrilled with emotion."

The pair believe it was a miracle.

A leaflet from a church in Newhaven led the family to contact Ms Thomas who visited the garden.

"I think that often we are in the right place at the right time," she said.

"It's touched my heart and it's done something for me."

Mr and Mrs Maunick are now planning to talk about their revelation to the pastor's congregation.