THE £50million Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal has reached £7million just over a year after its public launch.

The appeal, which will fund an extensive conservation and development programme, has already enabled some work to be carried out.

Donations have come in both locally and from overseas but the focus for the first year has primarily been the local community of Kent.

Brig David Innes, appeal chief executive, said: "An enormous amount of progress has been made during the year, much of it due to the generosity of the people of Kent.

"There is now a real buzz to the appeal and we are delighted with the growing number of fundraising initiatives that are being set up."

Work already underway includes stone conservation on the eastern side of the South East Transept and upper levels of the south side of the Corona and the installation of protective glazing on a panel of the South Oculus window in the South East Transept.

For more information on the appeal call 01227 865346, email fundraising campaign@canterbury-cathedral.org or go to www.savecanterburycathedral.com.