WORCESTER Cathedral has been awarded funding which will help protect priceless historic artefacts.

The landmark is one of 142 sites across the country to receive money from the Culture Recovery Fund, with £328,794 being awarded to help repair the library.

The first round of CRF funding was used to repair the roof and masonry after staff reported water seeping in.

This raised fears over priceless artefacts including the will of King John and a 1225 copy of the Magna Carta.

With funding from phase one of the CRF, the team was able to fully overhaul and re-cover the roof of the ante-library and improve temperature regulation in the conservation room, home to the most sensitive artefacts in the cathedral.

Phase two of the work will see the cathedral re-cover the lead roof of the library and improve the detailing, improve drainage and install a safety system to the roof for future work.

In addition, some of the high roofs of the cathedral are in need of attention to stop water getting in.

Emily Draper, estates manager at Worcester Cathedral, said: “I am delighted by the news that our plan for phase two of the library roof works has been supported and funded by the Culture Recovery Fund.

"This work will make such a difference to the health of the main library and ensure we are protecting the precious collection for the future.

"It is wonderful that we can repair the tiles and give the south transept and south slope of the nave some much needed love and attention too.

"I am excited for the project to start and looking forward to being able to clip onto our new safety system and tour the upper roof spaces.”

Worcester Cathedral houses one of the most important libraries and archives of any English Cathedral.

It has collected manuscripts since the seventh century and now has the second largest collection of medieval manuscripts in any cathedral in the United Kingdom.

It contains nearly 300 manuscripts, maps, plans, drawings, books and archives dating from the 10th Century onwards and many still have their original bindings.

The library also holds many early printed books and music, historical documents and ancient artefacts.