A PORTABLE version of Portsmouth Cathedral that can travel from school to school is being unveiled later this month.

The ‘Pop-Up Cathedral’ is a large tent which features high-quality images from the cathedral printed onto the canvas. It gives schoolchildren the chance to sample cathedral life inside their own playgrounds.

The mobile cathedral was created by Hampshire-based designer Ben Bracken, who photographed the cathedral’s stained-glass windows, stonework, roof tiles and doors, and then printed those images onto canvas.

It will be officially launched outside the real Portsmouth Cathedral on March 31, when worshippers, local residents, teachers and others will be invited to see it for themselves. After that, schools across south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be invited to book for the Pop-Up Cathedral to visit them.

A typical day in school might involve a variety of classes being given the chance to learn more about concepts such as love, faith and peace as they take part in activities in and around the Pop-Up Cathedral.

It has already had its first trial outing with pupils from the Federation of Liss Infant and Junior Schools, near Petersfield. The mobile cathedral appeared in the playground at Liss Infant School and more than 100 children were given a chance to try it out throughout the school day.

They stamped their fingerprints on paper to show their uniqueness and value; reflected on images of landscapes as they thought about appreciating our wonderful world; and paused inside the Pop-Up Cathedral itself to experience hope. Cathedral staff Sarah Page and Eve Davenport led the pupils on their pilgrimage – alongside the rector of St Mary’s, Liss, the Rev Chris Williams.