PEOPLE vying to own a piece of history can place offers online for the first time as part of York Minster’s auction of historic stone next week.

The auction, the first since 2016, will take place on Wednesday and features 140 pieces of stone, which have all been removed from the cathedral during conservation work.

Lots range in date from 14th-century stones to Victorian pieces, with highlights including grotesques, finials and ten lots which form an 18th century pinnacle.

For the first time, interested bidders can now view the stones going under the hammer via an online catalogue, placing bids either in advance or live during the auction.

The event concludes a four-day celebration of the ancient craft of stonemasonry at the Minster, which starts tomorrow with the annual stoneyard open day, followed by a stone carving festival in Dean’s Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival will see more than 70 stonemasons from across the globe gathering for two days of carving.

The director of the York Minster Fund, Neil Sanderson, said: "We’re delighted to offer an online catalogue for the first time for those who can’t make it along to the auction but would like to own a piece of the cathedral, which has a special place in so many people’s hearts."

For more visit yorkminster.org