SIX fundraising events have been organised to help maintain Ripon Cathedral as a centre of excellence for its religious choral music.

The long-term aim is to raise £3m to preserve the high choral standards, and what the Cathedral Development Campaign calls "our great heritage", for future generations.

The cathedral, one of the oldest in the country, maintains daily choral music with its boys' and girls' choirs.

Although the cathedral authorities have steadfastly refused to introduce admission charges, the development campaign has already raised £517,000 to re-roof the nave.

And it is raising £210,000 for restoration of the central tower at a building which costs more than £3,000 per day to run.

Meanwhile, supporters of the Anglican cathedral, mother church to the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, are being asked to back the future of its music by supporting the following events:

* July 23, Venetian Serenade Concert by Leeds Festival Chorus in the cathedral, at 7.30pm. Tickets, costing £12 to £18, are on sale;

* September 3 to 25, Ripon Arts Festival;

* September 1, golf day at Alwoodley Golf Club, north Leeds, costing £500 for a team of four people. Money raised will be shared between Ripon Cathedral and Leeds Parish Church;

* September 30, Angel Dinner in the nave of Ripon Cathedral, with guest speakers actor Robert Hardy and Edward Stourton, of BBC Radio 4, with music by the cathedral choir;

* November 26, Christmas Gift and Food Festival in the cathedral, with more than 50 stalls;

* On December 8, Christmas Gala Concert at the newly-refurbished Temple Newsam House, Leeds, in the picture gallery, an event sponsored by NorthCountry Homes.

For more information, contact the campaign office on (01765) 603583.