THE £30 million York Minster appeal is to be taken to America by the Duke of York.

Christies in New York is to host a reception in honour of Prince Andrew during a visit to the Big Apple in June.

Following his agreement to become patron of the Minster's biggest-ever fund raising campaign, all the proceeds will go to the appeal.

News of the American involvement came during the official launch yesterday of the appeal, which was first reported in last night's Evening Press.

The cathedral needs £23 million to pay for the restoration of the crumbling East Front, and another £7 million for a new endowment fund to secure the long-term future of the Minster choir, library and educational activities.

Guests assembled for the launch were told that the condition of stone pinnacles towards the top of the building was "very bad indeed" and, if not repaired and replaced, they would eventually fall off.

They were also told that, using the present workforce, the restoration scheme would take 20 years to complete.

But it was planned to take on extra apprentice carvers and masons so that the project could be staged in phases and completed in about ten years - provided sufficient funds were raised.

A major part of the scheme will involve the restoration of the Great East Window, which is the biggest single expanse of stained glass in the world.

The Dean of York, the Very Rev Keith Jones, said that after the East Front was built in the 15th century, it started to lean. Although engineering works in the 1960s meant it was now stable, the 2ft lean on the window made technical work more difficult.

He said it was hard to overemphasise the importance of the window, which he said an English Heritage expert had described as the "Sistine Chapel of Stained Glass."

Lord Halifax, High Steward of the Minster, said it had a special place in the hearts of people, not just in the City of York and Yorkshire. "It is of national and international significance."

Updated: 10:36 Wednesday, March 16, 2005