DEATH WATCH beetles and damp will keep restoration workers busy at York Minster over the coming weeks and months.

Minster bosses say they hope the scaffolding which currently covers the St William window will be removed by August this year, but admitted work at the Minster will “never be finished”.

A spokesman for the cathedral said: “The more observant will have noticed scaffolding inside the Minster spanning two bays of the South Quire Clerestory.

“There has been water ingress to the interior of the passage at window level caused by the blockage of two hoppers on the south elevation.

“The blockages have been cleared and the stone has begun to dry out but it may take several years for the area to dry out fully.”

The spokesman warned that this process would also eventually lead to decay and salt crystallisation.

According to masonry experts, the work will require interior and exterior scaffolding, dust extraction equipment and an investigation into the extent of the damage to the masonry.

He said: “In addition to this problem, there has been cracking of the window moulding. This may or may not be related to the water damage, but more research needs to be done.”

Meanwhile, the Minster said it was also working on a strategy to combat death watch beetles which have made themselves at home in the Chapter House.

The beetle is a wood-boring insect native to the UK which makes its home in hardwood. Staff at the Minster said the problem was common and not serious.

The spokesman said: “All of this goes to emphasise what an enormous responsibility rests on the surveyors of the fabric, the superintendent of works and the stoneyeard team and how much funding the Minster will need for decades to come.”