NEWLY-carved religious figures will take up the empty space left by a statue of Mary Magdalene which mysteriously disappeared from an Easter display last year.

The antique statue - which showed the Virgin Mary kneeling - was removed from St Asaph Cathedral’s Easter ‘garden’ as well as a small bag containing 30 five-pence coins, to represent the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas for betraying Jesus.

The other figures in the garden had also been disturbed.

Members of the Caerwys Carving Club have now produced a new set of figures for use.

David Stanworth, a steward at the cathedral, said: “The new figures are in a modern stylised form.

“The garden depicts the first sighting by Mary Magdalene and the disciples of the risen Christ on Easter morning by the empty Sepulchre.

“The garden is due to be put in place on Easter Saturday morning and will remain in the cathedral until Pentecost on May 20.”

An appeal was made last year for the return of Mary but sadly no response was received.

The figures on display at last years Easter garden were more than 100 years old and were inherited from David’s wife’s father, a priest.

Caerwys Carving Club is led by Murray Taylor, known in the area as a carver of love spoons.