EXPERTS are starting work on £800,000-worth of repairs to Durham Cathedral’s famous tower, meaning it will be closed to the public until next year.

The central tower stands 66m high, dates back to 1484 and is made from golden sandstone, which is highly susceptible to erosion and weathering.

It needs conservation, repair and improvements to the upper parapet, much of which will be carried out by the Cathedral’s own stonemasons.

The work has been paid for with £568,000 from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund, £30,000 from the Friends of Durham Cathedral, £15,000 from the Sir John Priestman Trust, £1,500 from the Alan Evans Memorial Trust and other funding.

The tower will be closed until 2017. During this time, tours of the bell chamber are planned. Details will be announced soon.

Further work may follow on the tower belfry and lantern, if money is available.

Gaye Kirby, the Cathedral’s head of development, said: “We are extremely grateful to those who have helped with this first phase of work on the tower.

“Financial support in the form of grants, donations and legacies are vital to the Cathedral being able to carry out work of this scale and we are extremely grateful to everyone who chooses to support Durham Cathedral.”

The tower will be shrouded in scaffolding during the work.

For more information, visit durhamcathedral.co.uk/beinvolved/supportus/central-tower