THE family of legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury officially unveiled Cradley Heath artist Luke Perry’s latest sculpture in Oldbury.

The artist has completed the world’s first 3D Parsi Farohar statue made out of Tata steel which will reside at the Balaji Temple, Dudley Road East.

Flamboyant rock star Freddie Mercury was one of the most famous Parsi people in the UK and his sister Kashmira and his mother joined notables including Lord Bilimoria and author Kusoom Vadg at the ceremony.

The unveiling on Saturday was followed by prayers and cultural events during a day of celebration which saw special guests from the Hindu and Parsi communities of Britain and India attending.

Mr Perry said: “It was a great day with over 500 people from all different faiths attending the event and the temple really looked fantastic.

“I was delighted to meet Freddie Mercury’s family and I was really impressed by his sister who was proud to be his representative, everyone knows Freddie as a rock star but he was a devoted Zorastrian.

“I was overwhelmed by the Zoroastrian reaction to the sculpture as it was the first time a three dimensional sculpture like this had been made, a few told me it would be like a Christian seeing a 3D Jesus for the first time.”

“You never know what people will think when it is unveiled but everyone was really complimentary and I know it has a good home at the Hindu temple - which really is a fantastic place in the heart of the Black Country which anyone can wander round at their leisure.”

Kunwar Raghava, head of PR at the Balaji Temple, said: “It was a very successful day and we were honoured to have Freddie Mercury’s sister and mother as well as Lord Bilimoria at the unveiling of Luke Perry’s statue.

“Over 350 Zoroastrians travelled from across the country to the temple and were joined by Hindus and people from other faiths to make it a very special day at the temple.”

The giant 25 acre site is the second biggest Hindu site in Britain and on Saturday one of the man made hills was dedicated to the Zoroastrian (Parsi) faith.

The first two hills, celebrating Buddhism and Christianity, have already been consecrated.

Jimmy Suratia, chairman of the North West Zoroastrian Community, said: “This is the first Zoroastrian landmark outside London ever in the UK.”