A GRANT from the Heritage Lottery Fund will help Ripon Cathedral tell the dramatic story of the past 1,350 years and its connection with the Anglo Saxon Saints.

The £54,000 grant is to be used to set the scene of the past and hopes for the future as part of moves to attract more visitors and pilgrims to the cathedral, which was founded by St Wilfrid in the seventh century.

Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson said: ‘I am delighted that Ripon Cathedral has secured a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help with its future development.

"The cathedral is one of the most important heritage sites in the region and now aims to allow many more people to access its unique history, its stories and its architecture.”

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire, Fiona Spiers said: “This award will help Ripon Cathedral prepare for the future and increase their resilience.

"The coming year will see important developments at the cathedral to help them to effectively protect the heritage for future generations.”

Investment is also being made in communications and training for staff and volunteers.

Craftsmen were brought from Europe to build the original stone church on the site between 634 and 709 and it was dedicated to St Peter in 672. Of the original building the Saxon crypt survives and the present church is a mixture of several architectural styles with the transepts dating from the 1100s with a mixture of Norman arches and later Gothic pointed arches.