A STATUE aimed at inspiring peace in Ipswich is set to be put up in a town park after planning chiefs gave it the green light.

The statue of Sri Chinmoy, who was well known for holding events on the theme of inner peace, will now be situated near the lake in Chantry Park.

Bosses at the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Ipswich, who have been behind the plan, are confident it will be a positive addition to the area and it could be in place by the end of July.

Martin Spettigue, the founder of the centre, in Soane Street, said: “I am delighted that it is coming through. Everyone has been very nice and very helpful and there have been no real problems at all.

“It is a beautiful park, there is a lot of variation there, and it is an opportunity to enhance what the park already has.”

Sri Chinmoy was a spiritual master who taught meditation.

He visited Ipswich on two occasions in the 1970s and 80s.

Ipswich has been designated as a Sri Chinmoy peace Town and several sporting events named after him have been held in the town in recent years.

Mr Spettigue added: “We want to offer something that will inspire people to think more and more about peace and to understand how important peace is to an individual.”

The new statue is now in the process of being created after planners gave permission for it at a meeting at the end of March.

The statue will be in the form of Sri Chinmoy and will feature him holding a ‘peace torch’ with one hand.