An unusual nun has been spreading the word of God in the streets of Bradford with her three-foot statue of the Virgin Mary.

Sister Ruth Augustus is on a two-day mission to the city to speak to the people about the Bible and help them with problems.

The 61-year-old Birmingham-born nun has travelled around 200 countries with the holy statue of the Madonna.

"I am a very traditional Christian but not very conventional in the social sense," said Sister Ruth, who is staying at the Hilton Hotel and wears a red baseball cap imprinted with the image of the Madonna.

"I think I am the only person in the world who carries a statue around. But I have walked around the city centre and people are very respectful and polite."

She started travelling 12 years ago with funding from her family and her mission has taken her to America, Africa, Asia and now her first visit to Bradford.

"When I carry this statue about people stop me and tell me the most terrible problems which they wouldn't tell me in church because they might be too embarrassed and they ask me to pray for them," she said.

The nun, who is half Portuguese, said she was impressed with the beauty of Bradford Cathedral and the vibrancy of the city.

"I know you have had race riots here but to me it appears a very multicultural city.

"I have heard people talk about the Capital of Culture bid and let's hope you do get it," she said.

Sister Ruth, part of the British Missionary, also gives readings from the Book of the Apocalypse.

She now plans to travel to Leeds.