Cathedral's new font consecrated

It is the cathedral's first permanent font for more than 150 years

A specially-commissioned font is being dedicated at Salisbury Cathedral.

The bronze vessel, weighing 1.8 tonnes when filled with water, is large enough to allow total immersion baptism.

It is the cathedral's first permanent font for more than 150 years - the previous one now resides in a church in Australia.

Sunday's consecration ceremony will be carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, who will also perform two baptisms at the font.

Dean of Salisbury, the Very Rev June Osborne said: "This new font is a masterpiece.

"Now we see it in its permanent position in the middle of our magnificent medieval cathedral, it is even more beautiful than we could have imagined."

Water sculptor William Pye, who designed the vessel, said: "I hope that it will be seen as something timeless that has been absorbed naturally into the fabric of this great building."

The cathedral's temporary font, located in the Morning Chapel, will still be used on occasion for private baptismal services.