A new bronze structure has been installed in front of Manchester Cathedral to mark the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

The nine-foot statue was installed by BAM Construction North West and unveiled at the site yesterday, 25 November, to a large crowd and VIP audience.

Gandhi is closely associated with India's (and Pakistan's) independence in 1947, and was renowned for his use of non-violent protests.

Rob Hannay, BAM's business development manager, said: "The Manchester Shrimad Rajchandra Mission was looking for a location by Manchester Cathedral. Our team is building 100 Embankment opposite.

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"They approached us, and we thought it was a great opportunity to do something positive to enhance the city.

"We've worked with two firms to make it happen, Adana Construction in Stockport, and structural engineers, Ramboll. Adana housed the statue which was cast in India and conducted exploratory digs, while we liaised with the council to get it through a raft of permissions, and together we've created foundations, a plaque and conducted the installation. Ramboll has advised us on the lifting protocol and provided the foundations drawings."

As well as marking Gandhi's birthday, the commemorative statue also coincides with Royal BAM Group's year of origin.

Ram V Sutar, who has carved all the statues in the Indian Parliament and whose Gandhi carving has been installed in 300 cities worldwide, is the celebrated sculptor behind the artwork which has been organised by the Manchester Shrimad Rajchandra Mission.

(CM/MH)