A true medieval mystery has arisen from the ashes of a fire which ravaged an ancient York church.

Paintings hanging in All Saints', in North Street, were damaged in the £100,000 blaze in February last year.

Two were destroyed, three were blistered and the remaining 15 were covered in thick, black soot.

The church believed all the paintings were copies and dated from the late 19th century to the 1920s.

But during the clean-up and repair of the works of art a different picture has emerged.

Some of the works could be originals, and older than first believed.

And in the most exciting twist, one work - the Lady Chapel painting - could date back to the 15th century.

Ironically, before the fire, the painting was almost black from the dirt it had gathered over the years.

But when it was restored, it was revealed as a picture of Our Lady praying over the naked Christ child on her lap with two cherubs at either side of her head, in brilliant reds, blues and gold.

It will go back on display in the church tonight for the Feast of Corpus Christi festival at 7.30pm.

But it will only be on display for a few hours - as it is being taken away for high-tech X-ray analysis to help determine its age.

Churchwarden Dr Robert Richards said: "It could be 15th century. We are keeping our fingers crossed."

He said the painting was believed to be worth at least £2,000. "If it turns out older, then its price will shoot up."

But amidst all the excitement, like all good tales, there's a sting.

If the painting does prove to be a true treasure, it is unlikely to hang in the church as it did before the fire. It will come out only for special occasions.

"Our insurance only covers our paintings up to £2,000," said Dr Richards.

See COMMENT Happy twist of fate

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