The head of Britain's Anglican church had his first taste of a traditional Indian meal at a temple in the city of Leicester.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams paid a visit to the Shree Sanatan Mandir in Catherine Street where an estimated 30 per cent of the population is of Indian origin.

He was welcomed with a garland of flowers and presented with an idol of Natraj (Shiva in a dancing pose). Dr Williams presented a book of scriptures and a Greek picture of Jesus holding the scriptures to the temple before he sat down to lunch with about 100 persons, including temple staff and community leaders.

Later he said, "I have had links with the city for some time and from my visits here it has become clear that Leicester is a model, not just of integration, but of good relations between different communities.

"This is my first major visit to a Hindu temple after becoming archbishop. I am hoping to find out about the work Christians and Hindus are doing together. I think the work that is already going on is outstanding and I would like to see more of it."

The Bishop of Leicester, Rev Tim Stevens, said: "He sees Leicester as a good model and example of what a multi-cultural city should be."

Dr Williams met three generations of a Hindu family who were either born in the city or had made it their home.

One of them, Nathu Jagjivan, a temple trustee, said, "We are proud of our Hindu religion, but at the same time we respect other religions too."

Raman Barber, president of the Shree Sanatan Mandir, said, "His visit will show all parts of the Indian community that, whatever faith we come from, we are all children of God."

Manzoor Moghal, spokesman for the Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, said, "His being here is a reflection of the remarkable amount of work that is being done here. It was important that he met a cross-section of all communities."