A FUND to repair part of York Minster where generations of choristers have trained has smashed through its fundraising target.

The York Minster Fund (YMF) set itself the task of raising an extra £100,000 for repairs to the stonework and roof of the Camera Cantorum and has exceeded its target by £10,000 - providing more than £110,000 of additional funding for the restoration of the building.

It comes on top of the £300,000 allocated from the government’s First World War Cathedrals Repair Fund.

Dr Peter Spence, Director of the York Minster Fund said: “We launched the appeal in our Christmas 2014 newsletter. It was important to raise the funds quickly to allow the work to the Camera Cantorum to proceed.

"But I was quite unprepared for the speed with which our supporters responded.

"My team and I are enormously grateful to all those who rose to the challenge."

Dating from 1415, and located on the south side of the Minster, the Camera Cantorum is a two storey structure, which currently houses the Minster shop and the Minster Song School and is where generations of choristers have been trained.

Twelve former choristers and an Alto song man were killed on active service in the First World War.

The York Minster Fund was originally established in the 1960s to raise money for urgent repairs and conservation to the Minster’s Central Tower.

The Fund now responds to requests from the Chapter of York for support for a wide range of projects at the Minster including conservation and restoration work.

To contribute to the fund or find out more about their work call 01904 557245 or visit www.justgiving.com/yorkminsterfund/