HIGH winds have caused damage worth tens of thousands of pounds to a stained-glass window at a York church.

A large chunk of the central window over the altar at St Lawrence’s Church, Lawrence Street, was blown out last week, leaving shattered glass on the floor.

Further glass around the hole was damaged before scaffolding could be put up to protect the rest.

The window – which was made in 1883 by the Knowles family of Stonegate – depicts the Crucifixion.

It may now cost more than £30,000 to restore.

Ian Milne, a member of the church council, said many of the windows in the church were very fragile and a recent grant application to carry out work on them had been refused.

He said it was hoped insurance, donations and fundraising may fund the restoration of the historic window.

Mr Milne said: “The window has been in a dilapidated condition for years.”