A LABOUR of love that took three years to sew by hand has finally been hung in place.

Marilyn Roberts, of Pickering, designed and sewed the medieval-inspired tapestry to hang over the main staircase at St William's College, in York.

She was commissioned by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster to create the design that centres around family shields and the shape of the Minster's windows.

Marilyn, 53, said the tapestry has been a huge part of her life over the last three years, but it was a proud moment to see her masterpiece displayed in the college for the first time.

She said: "It really has been a labour of love. It's taken a lot of research and a lot of patience and there were some nights I just had to leave it to get on with other things. But I'm very proud and I know it's going to be there to be enjoyed long after I'm gone."

Updated: 11:01 Monday, April 07, 2003