The appearance of an angel at the Douglas House hospice in Oxford has caused quite a stir -- but the man responsible is denying it is a miracle.

Residents and staff were stunned when the form of an angel appeared quite clearly in a photograph taken by a long-time friend of Douglas House, professional photographer Keith Barnes.

The image, which has been hailed as an angel Sister Frances Dominica, pictured with the photograph, who helped to found the hospice in Magdalen Road providing respite care for 16- to 40-year-olds suffering from life-limiting illnesses, said: "Keith had taken some photos of flowers in our garden and he asked me to look carefully at one of them and tell him what I saw.

"I looked at it for a few seconds and it was quite extraordinary. I said to Keith 'Good heavens, it's an angel!'"

Mr Barnes, who runs The Photographers Workshop in Cave Street, Oxford, said: "I must admit it was a bit surprising! The angel is clearly there. I am not spiritual myself, but the fact I was shooting the photo for Douglas House gives it added poignancy."

The photo is a close-up of a flower, taken with a slow shutter speed. Mr Barnes said he hoped the photo would lift the spirits of the terminally ill residents, but he emphasised: "It's a charming picture -- but it is not a miracle. If it brings in more donations for Douglas House, then that is marvellous."

The photograph will now be reproduced to sell in the Douglas House fundraising shop, No Tat, in Oxford's Covered Market.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Douglas House hospice should call 01865 794749.