Arundel Cathedral's landmark spire removed for repairs
A spire on a landmark West Sussex cathedral is being removed to allow specialists to carry out repairs.
The glass fibre-clad "fleche" at Arundel Cathedral will be lifted off by crane to enable a contractor to cover the structure with lead.
The hole in the roof will be sealed while the work is carried out.
A spokeswoman for the cathedral said the fleche was damaged during the Great Storm and was now "deteriorating significantly".
The original timber frame and lead-clad spire was replaced with the present steel-structured and glass fibre fleche in the 1970s.
The spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton said: "Whilst appearing in good condition from a distance, this glass fibre structure was damaged during the 1987 gales and was subject to flexing which has allowed water penetration into the structure."
The work is expected to be completed in March 2011.