AN ART gallery in Bradford on Avon is displaying a controversial crucifixion scene as part of an Easter exhibition.

George Heslop, 47, who is the artist in residence at the Ale and Porter gallery in Silver Street during Easter, created a Jesus on the cross out of chocolate. The sculpture has been branded "a gimmick" by one vicar in the town, who said it did nothing to convey the true meaning of Easter.

Mr Heslop, who is from Jarrow in Tyneside, said: "I've been working in chocolate since 1992 when I graduated from Newcastle University. "I wanted to do something which highlighted interests of mine such as religion, art and war, and it is particularly relevant at this time of year."

It took Mr Heslop a week to make his piece of art, working on it for up to six hours each day, melting cooking chocolate in a microwave then moulding it around a wire frame. He said: "It is about consumerism and how there is great attention on eggs at Easter and how people take advantage of it as an opportunity to sell chocolate.

"I also want to draw attention to politics with it (the sculpture) because I find it very disturbing that world leaders like George Bush use God as an excuse for going to war, and that they say they are convinced God is on their side."

He says that although scenes of the crucifixion are often cast in bronze, silver or gold, he does not think he's being controversial by modelling Christ out of chocolate. "I was brought up in a strong Christian household, and I do have a religious faith," he said.

The Rev Michael Lees from Bradford on Avon United Church does not believe a Jesus made out of chocolate conveys the real message of Easter. He said: "My personal view is that this sculpture is a bit of a gimmick, and I'm certainly more against it than for it.

"I think with visual aids you have to be very careful because to work they need to be readily obvious. "When Jesus told parables, they gave a clear message and people knew what he was talking about.

"The artist might be trying to get across the message that Easter is about the resurrection of Christ but in actual fact it could be interpreted as the opposite, and people might think it is saying Easter is all about chocolate."

The sculpture went on display on Good Friday and will be in the gallery until May 6.