RETAIL giant Marks & Spencer has donated £1,000 to help create a new home in Runcorn for a rare religious sculpture.

The money will go towards a new gallery being built at Norton Priory Museum to house the colossal statue of St Christopher.

Eminent conservation experts are now examining the priceless figure which has miraculously survived for 600 years.

It is being conserved at the conservation centre at the National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside.

Head of conservation John Larson, one of the world's leading conservation experts, said: "He is a fantastic rare piece. Even art historians all over the world don't know it exists because it is not recorded in any books. They will be clamouring to see it. It is an absolute masterpiece."

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London has already requested the sculpture for a Gothic exhibition in 2002.

A £90,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant has been awarded to ensure the completion of the Norton Priory project.

An appeal by Norton Priory Museum to raise £10,000 is now just £750 short of reaching its target.

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