ONE of the region’s great cathedrals was damaged by a lightning strike that left a large crack in one of its spectacular pinnacles, it has been revealed.

The stonework in a pinnacle above the north aisle of York Minster’s nave “exploded outwards” but the damage went undetected for weeks or even months.

The stone has now been repaired but surveyor of the fabric Andrew Arrol said the damage could have been far worse had it not been for the extensive work in the aftermath of the devastating 1984 fire – which itself was caused by lightning.

The damage was not made public until the publication of the annual report of the Friends of York Minster.

Mr Arrol said: “We saw the crack when we had scaffolding up when we were working on the north-west tower. The pinnacle had a crack right through it.”

He said rust damage, which can sometimes cause cracks, was ruled out, and said: “The split was as though it had exploded outwards. The only possible explanation was a lightning strike. We thought ‘blimey – what has happened?’.”

He said nobody had reported seeing a lightning strike, so workers could not pinpoint when it happened.

The pinnacle has now been repaired by one the Minster’s apprentice masons, Victoria Darley.

The fire that severely damaged the south transept of York Minster in 1984 was started by a lightning strike, and widespread protective measures have since been taken, including the installation of many more lightning conductors.

Mr Arrol said: “If we did not have the lightning conductor there, then it might have had serious implications. The stone could have become detached and fallen down through the roof.”