Cathedral's five-year repair project completed

Major conservation of a cathedral's stonework has been completed after five years.

Decades of weathering had left the northern side of Gloucester Cathedral in need of repair, prompting a project to integrate new stone to protect the structure.

Visitors will now be able to see a refreshed view of the building's silhouette from the cathedral grounds.

Dean of Gloucester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, said he was "incredibly grateful" to everyone who made the restoration possible.

"This project is a wonderful example of the care and dedication that goes into preserving Gloucester Cathedral for future generations," he added.

The westernmost pinnacle of the building, designed and carved by senior members of the cathedral's stonemasonry team, is now crowned with four grotesques.

Grotesques are normally mythical figures carved from stone and fixed to the walls or roof of a building.

The cathedral's head of fabric and property, Eilidh McIntosh, said she was very proud of the team's work.

"It's taken real skill, patience and teamwork to get to this point, especially from our in-house stonemasons and apprentices, who have brought such care and craftsmanship to every detail," she added.

Further restoration work on the cathedral's cloister will begin later in the summer.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.