Dr Rowan Williams visited the cathedral to mark the end of an 11 year building project - which included the completion of the millennium tower – and consecrated the Chapel of the Transfiguration, the cloisters and the crypt during the service, which was attended by local dignitaries, members of the public and schoolchildren.

In his sermon, before blessing the new work with holy water, Dr Williams said: "First of all, this is a place where human beings have used their intelligence and imagination. Here, we are reminded of what God calls living well within our world.

"We give thanks for human skill and divine inspiration. We built this place so that we may have a sign in our midst that the world is not the diminished world of our experience."

After the service, Dr Williams walked to the Abbey Gardens to enjoy a picnic with schoolchildren and members of the public.

Children from St Edmundsbury Primary School, in Grove Road, were the first the archbishop spoke to during the picnic.

William Allsopp, nine, said: "We asked him questions and he talked about what he would be if he wasn't the archbishop and why he wears the uniform."

Linsey Kearns, nine, said: "I asked him why he believed in God and he said it was because he grew up around it and found someone always loved him, even if he made mistakes."

Harvey Baldwin, nine, said: "I wished him a happy birthday."

Dr Williams signed autographs for St James' Middle School youngsters. Jessica Addison, 13, said: "He was friendly and got involved with everybody. We weren't expecting him to come and see us but we were glad he did."

Dr Williams said: "I think the work on the cathedral is an extraordinary achievement and combines the old and new."

Cathedral sub-dean Michael Hampel said after the service: "The blessing was such a significant moment and we are so glad that we have reached this stage - it reminds us that we have made it."


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