A DEBATE about contemporary art in Winchester Cathedral is to be staged later this month.

It has been prompted by Light, the sculpture exhibition currently on show in the church as part of the city's Year of Sculpture.

On July 17 at Winchester School of Art, Professor John Gibbons, the curator of Light, introduces an evening of discussion about contemporary sculpture with art experts.

Light features work by Turner Prize winner Rachel Whiteread, Marc Quinn, and Darren Almond, a graduate of Winchester School of Art and a Turner Prize nominee in 2005.

Prof Gibbons said: "Light has drawn a huge reaction from visitors and kicked off an interesting debate about contemporary art and the appropriateness of displaying it in a sacred setting such as the cathedral.

"This is evidenced by the many comments left on the dedicated response board in the cathedral which express views both for and against the exhibition."

The event takes place from 5.50pm until 8.30pm tomorrow at the West Side Lecture Theatre, Winchester School of Art, Park Avenue, in Winchester. Admission is free but tickets must be pre-booked from Winchester Tourist Information Centre on 01962 840500. Light runs until July 31.