A LEGO lottery has been launched with the honour of placing the final brick on a model of Durham Cathedral as the prize.

Almost three years since a fundraising drive began to build the scale model replica in Lego bricks, the end is in sight.

It was launched to help support development of the Open Treasure exhibition experience in the cathedral.

The model has attracted world-wide attention since the first brick was placed, on July 11, 2013.

Visitors from as far afield as Alaska, the Seychelles, the Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands have paid to the right to lay a brick on the model.

One lucky winner is now to be selected at random to place the final brick in a special ceremony, on Monday July 25, two days after the Open Treasure exhibition space opens to the public.

Cathedral head of development, Gaye Kirby, said: “The model has attracted interest from such a wide range of people, from wedding parties to school trips.

“We’ve had people celebrating significant birthdays to corporate team building days, so we decided the fairest way to choose the final brick layer was at random.”

Lego lottery tickets will only be sold alongside the model, in the Undercroft Foyer of the cathedral, costing £1 each.

Proceeds will go to the Open Treasure appeal, with the draw to be made on Friday July 8.

The completed model will measure 3.84m by 1.53m-wide and 1.7m height-wise, containing approximately 300,000 bricks.

Anyone wishing to support the appeal can donate via www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/donate, by texting Lego16 £2 to 70070, or in person, at the cathedral.