BLACKBURN Cathedral's famous organ will sound again on Sunday, almost a year after it was silenced.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, will lead a special re-dedication service to mark its return after a £380,000 renovation.

Director of music Richard Tanner said: "It sounds magnificent. It was always brilliant, but now it is extraordinary."

John Bertalot, Organist Emeritus at the cathedral, designed the pipe organ in 1969. He played it for the last time last July before it was dismantled for its major refurbishment and enlargement. He will be back on Sunday for the re-dedication.

David Wood, who builds organs in Huddersfield, had the task of removing the 4,600 pipes, ranging in size from one inch to 32ft long. The need for restoration became urgent when renovations to the famous lantern tower last year left dust and grime clogging the pipes.

A digital organ from America was installed to lead the cathedral's music and worship for the past year, including the service to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Blackburn, attended by the Archbishop of York.