WORSHIPPERS had to find an alternative entry into church yesterday after a chunk of masonry was blown from the roof of Blackburn Cathedral.

And shocked church bosses were forced to cordon off the main entrance, off Darwen Street, after a piece from one of Blackburn Cathedral's pinnacles was damaged during fierce gales on Thursday night.

A verger found the piece of masonry -- roughly the size of a football -- when he went to open up the premises on Friday morning.

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, said the area has been cordoned off until architects inspect the rest of the pinnacles and ensure they are safe.

The architects which the cathedral uses are based in Penrith and are on their Christmas break until Wednesday.

Rev Armstrong said: "It was a very significant lump that came down and it's a good job nobody was hit by it. We are going to have to inspect the rest of the pinnacles before we can open the main entrance again. Until that time people will have to find an alternative entrance." The main entrance to the cathedral -- known as the West Front -- was renovated less than ten years ago.

Mr Armstrong said he was not sure of how much the damage would cost to repair, but added it would be claimed back on insurance.

Wind damage during the storms on Thursday night also saw a tree blown down in the grounds of a disused church in Darwen.

The tree, which was in the grounds of the disused Belgrave Church, was blown down at around 7.50am, and caused delays for morning motorists.

Firefighters took to the tree with a saw to cut the tree down. It was blocking the road forcing police to control traffic around it.

The tree, which was about 25ft high, was eventually removed by firefighters and the Highways Authority then came to chop it up. It caused minor disruption to motorists for about an hour.