A wooden cross has been specially crafted by the Catholic Church to symbolise its service to others during the Olympics.

The cross was designed and created by artist Jon Cornwall, from the Walsingham House retreat centre in Essex.

He used 12 different types of wood to make the cross, symbolising the 12 disciples.

The cross has been placed at the Joshua Camp, an international gathering of Catholics to coincide with the Olympics.

The camp is providing hospitality and organising service projects with the aim of fostering spiritual growth and evangelisation.

James Parker, Catholic Executive Coordinator for the 2012 Games, said: "We wanted to create a keepsake that symbolises everything the Games truly represent, something we could then pass on to future Olympic host nations.

"As Christians our lives mean nothing without the cross and so this seemed to be the most suitable object to commission for ourselves and as a future gift to others."