CURATORS have removed tile wraps from a 12th century abbey in North Yorkshire in preparation for a warm summer season.

The wraps were placed around thousands of monastic tiles at Byland Abbey, near Coxwold, to protect them from being damaged by the winter frost.

English Heritage takes the precaution annually, but next year the tiles could be even better protected by a series of electronic eyes which will monitor weather conditions.

The abbey's head custodian, Ruth McIntyre, said: "The tiles are one of the site's crowning glories and we get visitors coming from around the world to see them.

"They tend to be at their best after a sharp shower which really brings out the vibrant colours.

"Originally the tiles covered the entire floor of the abbey church, which was founded by monks in 1177, but they are now concentrated at one end. They were laid as early as the 12th century, possibly by local craftsmen recruited for their expertise, and they once numbered about 600,000 individual pieces."

The surviving tiles were rediscovered by archaeologists in the 1920s under soil and rubble where they had lain undisturbed since the dissolution of the monasteries.

The abbey is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, April 13, 2002