Cathedral opens its doors...after 150 years

The ancient central oak doors at the west end of Ripon Cathedral had remained shut since 1861, but yesterday they were opened to allow architects to carry out an inspection. The Dean of Ripon the Very Rev Keith Dukes, is pictured walking through them.

The 16ft-high doors, which are believed to have been carved in the 17th century, remained closed after a wooden porch was constructed against them.

But a new project is being drawn up to make the cathedral more welcoming by replacing the 150-year-old porch with a larger glass structure.

Although the ancient oak doors have been closed for 150 years, smaller entrances cut within them have been in continuous use throughout the decades.

But the new project will mean the cathedral's outer three doors will be opened to the glass porch to give impressive views of the building inside.

Mr Jukes said: "With the potential to have the three West doors opened every day, from next year, the cathedral will be even more welcoming to everyone."

Picture: Gary Longbottom.