A NEWLY-INSTALLED shrine to the Virgin Mary in a Blackbird Leys church will be blessed at a special ceremony on Sunday, October 16.

Bishop William Kenney of the Archdiocese of Birmingham will pay a visit to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sawpit Road on the day for the event.

The Mariam Grotto was fundraised by members of the Indian Malayalam community living in the area. The ceremony will take place straight after mass at 4pm.