A family in Argentina's Salta province has attracted hundreds of witnesses to their home, due to claims that a small icon of the Virgin of the Mystical Rose, one of the names Catholics use for the Virgin Mary, has begun to 'cry tears of blood.'

The phenomenon began over Lent, according to the statue's owners, the Frias Mendoza family. Mr. Mendoza claims the Virgin Mary appeared to him in a dream "the day before the miracle began".

"It was the first time something like this has happened and I was very scared. I thought it was some kind of punishment," said Mr. Mendoza.

A video appeared online shortly after the event, which purports to show the 'miracle' in action.