Cathedral treasures to go on view

William the Conqueror was unable to write his name

The public will get new access to previously unseen treasures of Canterbury Cathedral as part of its recently announced £50m restoration.

One document bears the Holy Cross signature of William the Conqueror.

Another holds the royal seal of Henry II on a document relating to the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket.

A spokeswoman said they were stored in the archives but there was a plan to digitalise records for the internet and provide some temporary public displays.

At the moment, members of the public need to make a special request to see the fragile artefacts.

Development chief executive Brigadier David Innes described the items as a "wonderful part of our heritage... to be made available to our successors".

Among thousands of other items kept under wraps is an original edition of the Domesday book, handwritten by monks in Canterbury in the 12th Century to cover the lands and assets of the cathedral.

A global fundraising campaign was launched earlier this month in an effort to try to save the crumbling cathedral, which has been ravaged by age and pollution.

Parts of the Kent cathedral face closure if the cash is not raised.