Cathedral's new crown gets its jewels

The first of 56 sparkling 20-foot stained glass panels are being tested in the crypt at the cathedral to ensure they are waterproof and windproof before work starts in January on the new £850,000 lantern tower, which is meant to be a beacon and symbol of regeneration across Blackburn.

The Provost of Blackburn, the Very Rev David Frayne, said the need for a new lantern tower became apparent very soon after the present tower was erected.

"The stained glass fell piece by piece on to the sanctuary of the cathedral and had to be replaced. It was pretty obvious that what was going to be the crowning glory had failed," he said.

Four years ago the cathedral architect warned that the tower would become dangerous as the concrete structure crumbled.

Bill Goodall, chairman of the lantern tower appeal, said the project was important to the whole of Lancashire as the cathedral was the only Anglican cathedral in the county.

"There was a certain over-confidence in new materials in the 1960s," he said. "Now we have gone back to the original materials of lead, glass, brass and stone and I think they will last for several thousand years."

The stained glass, in shades of red, purple and blue, is based on a fire and water theme and was designed by Linda Walton of Design Lights Stained Glass Studio of Blackrod, Bolton.

Linda Wilson from cathedral architects Lowe Rae said scaffolding would be put up around the tower and spire and a platform erected underneath to allow the work of the cathedral to continue during the building.

The spire will be checked for damage when the work on the tower is being carried out and improvements will also be made to the heating and ventilation of the tower.

About £620,000 towards the £850,000 fund has already been raised.

The fund was first given £200,000 from English Heritage then £90,000 from Lancashire County Council.

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