THE Duke of York has lent his support to a £23m fundraising drive to restore part of York Minster.

Prince Andrew has sponsored the first of more than 2,500 stones in need of replacement on the East Front of the building.

The prince carved the first letter of his name into the new stone during a visit to the minster yesterday.

He said: "The minster is faced with a huge ten-year fundraising task.

"Clearly, major donors will be making a contribution, but it is equally important that the people of York and Yorkshire feel that they can have a part in the preservation of their minster.

"I am delighted to donate the first stone in the project and will closely follow the scheme as it progresses."

The duke is patron of the York Minster Development Campaign.

The East Front features the Great East Window, which is the biggest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.

Some of the stonework has not been repaired since it was built in the early 15th Century and needs extensive work.

Church bosses say the sponsor-a-stone scheme is a way for individuals, schools, clubs and businesses to contribute towards the cost of the restoration.

Stones can be sponsored for £10 a month for five years or £5 a month for ten years. Call (01904) 557245 to sponsor one.

During his visit to the region yesterday, Prince Andrew spent time at RAF Leeming, near Bedale, where he carried out his basic flying training in 1980.

The prince inspected a guard of honour, before he opened a new library at RAF Leeming Primary School.

The Duke of York also attended a Community Initiative Award ceremony at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York.

The awards, which were founded by the Prince in 1997, are given to groups who work to improve community spirit.

Local recipients included Chopsticks, in Northallerton, and Eston Residents' Association, from Normanby, Middlesbrough.