Minister stands on fourth plinth

Mr Chambers said he wanted to connect with people

A Methodist minister from Castle Cary has offered spiritual guidance from the Fourth Plinth.

Antony Gormley's commission for Trafalgar Square's "empty plinth" is occupied for 100 consecutive days, 24 hours a day, by members of the public. A total of 2,400 people will stand on the plinth from 6 July until 14 October. Nearly 30,000 people applied.

Each person has one hour to do whatever they like on top of the plinth.

Reverend Ken Chambers said: "It was fantastic. I was obviously very nervous, but when I got up there, we were worshipping together so that was great and I had the support of everybody that was down there."

Mr Chambers said he took to the plinth so that he could connect with people.

Nearly 30,000 people applied to stand on the plinth

"Antony Gormley said he wanted to explore the connection between people and for me, worship is a connection so that's what we're using, the opportunity to connect with each other, with the wider community through our prayers and with God."

But can communion ever be art?

"I don't think we ever wanted to show the Holy Communion as art. Is communion art? No. Is it right to do it in this way? I don't know but I feel deeply that it should be," he said.

"We have a message of taking that tradition of hope and love and forgiveness out into the world. Lord Soper did it on his soap box. Today it was the turn of a little country minister from Somerset to stand on a plinth to do it."

Visitors will also will hear Bible readings and worship songs and share Holy Communion, administered from the base of the plinth by Revd Martin Turner.