Campaigners who are trying to raise funds for vital restoration work to Canterbury Cathedral are heading to America in a bid to get more money.

The Save Canterbury Cathedral appeal was launched in 2006 after it was revealed the historic building was literally crumbling and required urgent repairs to the stone work, lead roof and stained glass windows.

Since then, just over £15 million has been raised mostly through donations from Kent people, charitable trusts and other organisations.

But it is thought more than £50 million will be needed over the next 15-25 years to do all the work that is needed to protect what is recognised around the world as the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion.

Andrew Edwards, chief executive of the Canterbury Cathedral Trust Fund, said: "This is an important landmark and part of our history and culture in this country and it's important that we ensure the building remains for future generations to enjoy.

"We are working very heavily in the United States at the moment where we've managed to secure President George H W Bush as the patron of our US campaign and we'll be rolling that programme out during this year."

He added: "We are also in the process of putting together a major application to the Heritage Lottery fund in November this year which will be for a very significant piece of work for the building."

The Cathedral choir is currently on a tour of America to raise the profile of the campaign.

They arrived this week ahead of an opening concert in Houston, Texas before heading along the west coast for events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

The choir will then be flown to New York for a private reception in Manhattan on 23rd April, St George's Day.