BRADFORD Cathedral has been given £350,000 to repair its main gateway from the city centre.

The £349,479 grant is one of 31 for cathedrals across the country from a special Government fund set up to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War.

The money will be used to repair and restore its State Gate - the 19th century steps and entrance on western side of the Cathedral precinct linking it with the city centre.

The Dean of Bradford, the Very Revd Jerry Lepine said: "We are absolutely delighted that the First Word War Fund has given us this grant of £349,479 towards the repair and restoration of this piece of Bradford’s heritage.

"The Cathedral is keen to make a contribution to regeneration and this will transform one of the features in the centre of Bradford.

"The State Gates, directly opposite the new Westfield site, were built at the end of the 19th century as part of the Cathedral precinct but it is only within the last 20 years that the Cathedral has become entirely responsible for them.

"It is the main access to the Cathedral from the centre of the city and the railway station and is in a poor state of repair.

"We have been told that it might have to close within two years due to the risk it poses. This will clearly compromise the Cathedral’s welcome to people in the centre of the city as well as inconvenience shoppers using the Cathedral precinct as a thoroughfare.

"The money will enable repairs such as grouting, pointing, rebuilding certain sections and reinstating a blocked up opening."