A GLOBE-trotting nun who has spent the last 12 months travelling the world carrying a three-foot statue of the Virgin Mary has finally made it to Ipswich.

A GLOBE-trotting nun who has spent the last 12 months travelling the world carrying a three-foot statue of the Virgin Mary has finally made it to Ipswich.

Sister Ruth Augustus, who claims to be pursued by evil forces, is carrying the statue around in a bid to bring a message of peace and love to people.

Undeterred by strange looks and nasty comments she is visiting pubs, clubs, red light districts and supermarkets to spread her message.

She is not sure how long she will be in Suffolk but her mission is clear, pray or risk a nuclear holocaust!

"People come up to me out of curiosity and end up telling me their problems. I just want to help save people. If we keep living like this then we will have a nuclear holocaust which will wipe us all out," she insisted.

It does sound like it could be the plot of a Hollywood B movie but Sister Ruth is no actress and claims she has already survived two attempts on her life.

"Most of the time I am terrified when I go out but I want to get the message across. There have been two attempts on my life but I will not give up.

"I believe we will enter the battle of Armageddon and I want to alert the people of England to this.

"Mostly I just pray with people and tell them that Jesus is watching them.

"I have been to most countries but one I have yet to visit is Afghanistan where I know there are women and their families suffering," said the 62-year-old.

To date the Portuguese-born nun has visited more than 200 countries with her message and the statue has never left her side.

Sister Ruth began her mission after working for several years for children's charities in London. She belongs to a small order called One in Christ, based in Cork, Ireland.

Monsignor Peter Leeming from St. Mary's Church in Woodbridge Road is rural dean of Ipswich.

Although he has not had the chance to meet Sister Ruth he said: "At times like this any prayers for peace and reconciliation are entirely appropriate.

"The Holy Father the Pope asked on Ash Wednesday that it should be a day of prayer and peace is one of the themes for Lent."