A PRIEST who has been making religious clothing since the 1970s has designed a new set of robes for special services at Durham Cathedral.

The new robes were made by Darlington priest Rev Kenneth Crawford and will be worn at the some of the cathedral’s most important services, including Easter and Christmas.

They will replace the current set of red and gold robes, which date from the 1960s and will complement those used for everyday services.

Acting Dean, Canon David Kennedy said: “Our current set of special service robes have done marvellous service for half a century but they are now worn in places.

“We are fortunate enough to have a fund at the Cathedral that many people have gifted to over the years, specifically for the provision of Cathedral vestments and so we have been able to commission these beautiful robes using these funds.”

Rev Crawford, who started making robes in the 1970s, said: “It was an honour to be asked to provide designs for Durham Cathedral and it is a pleasure and a privilege to have been commissioned to produce robes for such a wonderful place of worship.”

The robes have been made from damask in a Winchester pattern and feature embroidery on both front and back.

The gold robes feature a St Cuthbert’s Cross, which has been produced by Hand and Lock, whose commissions have included gowns for the Queen, the Queen Mother, and Princess Anne’s wedding ensemble.

The red robes feature a white dove in a circle of flames and the white robes have a crown of thorns with a white rose in the centre.

The new liturgical clothing will be dedicated at the Sung Eucharist on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 5 at 7.30pm.