Funds for cathedral's stonework repairs

The cathedral was built over 100 years ago

A Cornish cathedral is to receive £200,000 from English Heritage to repair part of its stonework.

The Western towers, spires and front of Truro Cathedral at High Cross have been deteriorating in recent years.

The exposed mouldings and dressings are made of soft Bath Stone which easily erodes in the county's salt-laden air.

English Heritage now says it has located a new source of stone which will last much longer in its exposed position than the original, which is now 120 years old.

Survey

The restoration plan follows the government's announcement two weeks ago that the cost of repairs to historic churches will continue to receive a VAT subsidy.

But staff at the cathedral estimate that despite this funding package, more than £3m still needs to be spent on repairing the building.

A survey of the cathedral last year estimated it would take 10 to 15 years to bring the building up to scratch.

The report said the West front alone would need just under £1m spent on it.