A HIGHLY significant stain-glassed window in Worcester Cathedral will be restored back to its former glory thanks to a £250,000 grant.

The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, said he was delighted urgent repairs could now be carried out on the East Window in the Lady Chapel.

The £250,316 will go towards restoring the window which is currently suffering because the glass is in poor condition and the lead work has failed.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid announced that Worcester Cathedral was one of 31 cathedrals receiving almost £8million between them for urgent repairs in the second round of grants from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund.

Restoration work will be carried out by experienced and accredited stained glass conservators with support from the Cathedral's stonemasons and is set to take between eight and nine months to complete.

The colourful window is a highly significant artistic piece of work at the east end of the principal axis of the Cathedral and the backdrop for all east facing worship within the Nave, Quire and Lady Chapel and sets the whole tone of the east end.

The dean said: “The Cathedral is delighted and celebrates this amazingly good news which will be used to carry out urgent repairs in order to restore the East window.

"The glass is in poor condition and the lead work has failed, once restored will be very dramatic”.

The East Window was the first of several windows by John Hardman and Co of Birmingham to be installed at Worcester Cathedral during the Victorian restoration between 1854 and 1875.

It was paid for by public subscription and the first lights of the window were installed in 1860.

It represents the Crucifixion and the Ascension, with medallions of scenes in the life of Jesus.

The upper five lights and the centre light of the lower tier were made for the Paris Exhibition of 1862.

Mr Javid said: “Our heritage in this country is precious and unique.

"We need to do all we can to protect it for future generations.

"This second round of grants will ensure that even more of our magnificent and awe-inspiring cathedrals can complete urgent and much needed repairs, so they can continue to play a huge role in the communities they serve.

“Our places of worship are also playing a huge part in all our plans to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, and this Fund is helping to ensure they can fulfil this role to remember those who gave so much for us so many years ago.”

The Cathedral has been a focus for many events to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and will be holding The Remembrance Day Service on Sunday, November 9.

For more information relating to the Lady Chapel window restoration project contact Nickdrew@worcestercatheral.org.uk or call 01905 732912.