Parma, 22 October (AKI) - The statue of a 'Golden Angel' atop the 12th century bell tower of the cathedral in the northern Italian city of Parma was struck by lightning early on Thursday, setting it on fire but saving the church, Italian media reports said.

The lightning struck the cross held by the angel which resulted in a small fire, which had to be put out by a local firefighting company.

The clock in the tower stopped at the time the lightning struck, 2:29am.

Damage was primarily to the angel statue (photo) which is a copy installed at the beginning of the 20th century. The original, dating to the 13th century has been kept at the Diocesan museum.

The Cathedral - considered one of Parma's most famous landmarks - is built in Romanesque style and is filled with Renaissance art.