PICTURES taken from the heights of York Minster have shown how work on creating a new gateway to the historic landmark is moving on.

The area outside the South Transept of the cathedral may currently be a building site, but its transformation into an eye-catching piazza will soon be complete.

A new route for pedestrians and cyclists is being created in natural stone setts.

The South Piazza restoration work forms part of the five-year York Minster Revealed project, designed to further boost the Minster’s status as a visitor attraction while also protecting its stonework and stained glass treasures for generations to come.

The aerial pictures were taken from the east end of the Minster by Press photographer Anthony Chappel-Ross, with Aviva’s Wellington Row headquarters and the big wheel at the Royal York Hotel in the background.

York Minster Revealed is the largest restoration and conservation programme of its kind in the UK and is scheduled for completion in 2016, having been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

City of York Council has provided £500,000 towards the South Piazza works.

The scheme, which began at the end of last month, means there will be restricted access for pedestrians and bikes around the South Transept until the beginning of April.