SPECIALIST stone masons will have to be drafted in to carve a copy of a historic pinnacle which was blown off Blackburn Cathedral by strong winds.

Dean of Blackburn, the Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, scaled the heights of the cathedral in a 180 foot hoist to check on the storm damage, along with architects and stone masons.

They were able to report that the damaged pinnacle was the only one which had been damaged in the severe weather, and no more stonework will have to be replaced.

Although the exact cost of the new piece is not yet known, church leaders know it will be covered by insurance.

The large intricately carved chunk of masonry, dating back to 1826 when the cathedral was built, was blown from the roof during fierce gales two weeks ago, forcing church leaders to close the main entrance to the cathedral, though it has now been reopened.

It had already suffered a large crack, due to frost, before being blown down, but all other masonry which was checked was safe.

As a precaution, however, church leaders have decided not to ring the bells for the next few weeks, until the new pinnacle has been fitted.

Canon Andrew Hindley said: "All the pinnacles and the stonework was checked ten years ago and found to be safe, but this particular one seemed to have had a crack in it for some time, and that's why it came down.

"It is inevitable, I suppose, with a building of this age, that things like this will eventually happen.

"We know all the others are fine, which is very good news for us, but as a precaution we have put up safety scaffolding around the entrance."

The main entrance to the cathedral -- known as the West Front -- was renovated less than ten years ago.

Stone for the new piece will have to be ordered from the quarry, which is expected to take around three weeks, and the stonework has to be carved by hand, which will take another 10 days. The whole process will take around six weeks to be completed.