A £23 MILLION appeal was launched today to restore York Minster's magnificent, but crumbling, East Front.

Another £7 million is also needed to secure the long-term future of the Minster's choir, library and educational work through a new endowment fund.

The fund-raising development campaign - the biggest in the cathedral's history - was launched by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, with backing from the Duke of York, who has agreed to act as patron.

The Dean said a detailed study of the thousands of stones and the stained glass on the East Front, near St William's College, had revealed that urgent repair and conservation work was needed to what was one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in the world.

Widespread erosion meant that many stones had become unsafe and needed replacing. The Great East Window, the size of a tennis court and the biggest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the world, needed re-leading, he said.

And much of the stone tracery surrounding it needed to be replaced, which meant the window itself would have to be removed, panel by panel.

"This work is essential to the life of the Minster," he said. "The task of restoring the East End has fallen to our generation, and we must do our best, so generations to come can enjoy the splendour of the Minster."

Lord Halifax, High Steward at the Minster, said it was not generally realised that English cathedrals, unlike many such institutions in Europe, received no direct Government funding.

"By contrast, museums and galleries have received £531 million in 2003/04, which has enabled these national institutions to abolish visitor entrance charges."

He said this meant cathedrals were at a considerable disadvantage compared with competing attractions, and had to actively discover ways of remaining self-funding.

Prince Andrew called on the people of Yorkshire and beyond to give generously to this "most worthy cause."

Dr Richard Shephard, director of development, said £23 million might seem a huge sum. "But when you look at the scale of the project, and the intricacy of the work that must be done, you realise this money must be found."

The Dean said that about £2 million had already been pledged by a range of organisations and individuals, and a bid would be made for support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. But support was also needed from the ordinary people of York and Yorkshire.

He stressed that money raised from admission charges only went towards day-to-day running and maintenance costs, and did not help with a major capital project such as this.

Anyone wanting to support the appeal should send cheques payable to York Minster Fund to Development Campaign, Church House, Ogleforth, York. Y01 7JN.

Updated: 15:36 Tuesday, March 15, 2005