THE west doors of Chester Cathedral have been rehung after the completion of vital conservation work.

The doors were removed a month ago and taken to the workshop of John Nethercott and Co in Presteigne, Powys, for repair under the direction of local conservation specialist architects Donald Insall Associates.

Rather than try to restore the original appearance of the doors, it was decided to conserve their present day appearance.

A great deal of work has taken place including the repair of decayed woodwork, the replacement of perished iron clamps and the consolidation of earlier repairs.

This sort of work is specialised and the craftsmen carrying it out are experts in the restoration of architectural joinery, having worked for the National Trust and English Heritage as well as projects such as the Royal Apartments at Edinburgh Castle.

It was originally thought the doors dated from the 16th century but it now seems more likely they are replacements dating from the early 1800s. However, the design of the doors was probably copied from the Tudor originals.

Primary funding for the project has been by way of grant from Mrs TA Briggs Deceased Will Trust with other funds from the Friends of Chester Cathedral.

The Mrs TA Briggs Trust is administered by Chester-based partners at law firm, Hill Dickinson LLP, Robin Jones and Simon Parrington. Mr Parrington said: “Hill Dickinson is extremely pleased to be able to support this valuable work by the Cathedral through a donation from the Mrs TA Briggs Trust.

“The late Mrs Briggs was heavily involved in Chester life and would, I am sure, be happy to see her legacy facilitating this project which is of great importance both for the Cathedral and the city as a whole.” The Dean of Chester, the Very Rev Professor Gordon McPhate, said: “This is a very exciting project; the restoration of the west doors demonstrates our commitment to caring for the building while the funding partnership demonstrates the support of the community.”