CONSERVATION work being carried out at the Cathedral was viewed by the High Sheriff of Kent, Nigel Wheeler.

He was given a tour by David Innes, chief executive of the £50million Save Canterbury Cathedral appeal.

Mr Innes showed Mr Wheeler some of the major structural problems now evident in the roofs, the result of repairs carried out after the war when supporting beams were cased in concrete.

The High Sheriff was also shown the extent of damage to the stonework that the Cathedral has suffered as a result of pollution and centuries of weathering.

He met with some of the stonemasons who are carving new stones to be placed in the Corona and south east transept and are also repairing broken stonework.

After his tour, Mr Wheeler said: "It has been a revelation to see the very serious nature of the problems facing Canterbury Cathedral and the scale of the conservation work that is required over the coming years.

“It is wonderful to see how the money from this appeal is being spent and to witness the skills of the many people who are working so hard to ensure that we can preserve this great building for generations to enjoy.”

The winners of a Kent Messenger Group competition were also given a tour of the Cathedral.

Guide Patricia Jukes told them about the history of the building and took them to areas of the Cathedral not usually open to the public including All Saints’ Chapel, St Andrew’s Chapel and the Vestry, the Huguenot Chapel and the Wax Chamber.

The winners also enjoyed a visit to the stained glass studios.

The afternoon ended with tea in the Cathedral headquarters to celebrate the birthday of one of the winners, Mick Hills, from Herne Bay. There were eight winners who could each take a guest on the tour.