Cash awarded for architect study

Sir Basil's vision for Coventry Cathedral was completed in 1962

The University of Warwick has secured a grant to carry out a four-year study into the life of the architect of Coventry Cathedral, Sir Basil Spence.

The history of art department has been awarded almost £350,000 of government money for the project.

Researchers will compare Sir Basil's work with that of the city's first architect, Sir Donald Gibson.

He masterminded the rebuilding of Coventry after the savage bombing of the city in November 1940.

The £342,473 has been awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

The university will work in collaboration with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, which holds the Sir Basil Spence Archive.

The university said its research would provide an important contribution to the Sir Basil Spence Centenary Exhibition, planned by the National Galleries of Scotland for autumn 2007.