A SUPER spy is helping to boost a campaign to maintain the daily choral tradition in Ripon Cathedral.

Fundraisers at the North Yorkshire minster have secured Dame Stella Rimington, the first woman to become Director General of MI5, to speak at a fundraising lunch.

Dame Stella won widespread praise for her ground-breaking policy of greater openness at MI5, explaining as much as possible about its role and responsibilities.

Ripon Cathedral Development Campaign has announced that Dame Stella will speak at the lunch, being held in a marquee in the grounds of Thorp Perrow Arboretum, near Bedale, on Sunday, April 17.A champagne reception will be followed by a three course lunch.

Tickets for the event will cost £45 and include entrance to the arboretum.

Money raised will boost the establishment of a music foundation at the cathedral.

The Cathedral Development Campaign recently saw completion of a £517,000 project to re-roof the nave, which attracted a 60 per cent grant from English Heritage. It has now embarked on a major restoration scheme for the central tower, also being supported by English Heritage.

Meanwhile, the Dame Stella lunch will help to raise £3m to maintain the daily choral tradition of Ripon Cathedral, the oldest in England, dating from 1300.

Tickets are on sale at the cathedral development office, telephone (01765) 603583.