A UNIQUE stone bench carved by a team of highly-skilled cathedral craftspeople has become York Minster's newest feature.

The eight-sided bench was carved at last year's York Minster stone festival, in which crafters were challenged to complete a carving in under two days.

The carvers chose the octagonal design so the bench would fit in with the Minster's Chapter House, near to where it has been placed.

A York Minster spokesman said: "The bench has now been placed on the north side of the Minster for use by everyone.

"A maple tree has been planted in its centre, and as this matures it will become an increasingly attractive facility for the people of York to enjoy."

The spokesman said the stone festival was a "great success."

He added: "We were very pleased with the way it went. Thousands of members of the public visited the venue and saw some of the best masons and carvers in the world demonstrating their craft."

Updated: 10:36 Saturday, June 23, 2001