York Minster holds the largest single collection of medieval stained glass in the country with 128 windows, the oldest dating back to the 12th century.

Currently more than 50% of the cathedral’s windows have no protective glazing, leaving them exposed to the elements and subject to corrosion and decay, meaning the irreplaceable glass could be lost for future generations.

To stop the decay, the cathedral has announced a 20-year partnership with York Glaziers Trust and an innovative fundraising campaign led by the York Minster Fund, supported by a £1m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The initiative, which it is anticipated will cost £11m to complete, will see state-of-the-art, environmental protective glazing extended to all of the Minster’s 128 mostly medieval windows as part of a long-term strategy to buy time for much needed conservation work.