THESE photographs allow a rare close-up view of the painstaking work being carried out by stone masons working 100ft above the ground at York Minster.

The unseasonally warm weather has allowed conservation efforts to continue at the apex of the Great East Window where masons work on scaffolding high behind the screen representing the Great East Window.

The incredibly detailed carvings of angels and canopies – which are barely visible from the ground – were originally created between 1370 and 1405.

As the glass has been removed from the window for conservation to be carried out by York Glaziers Trust, workers are especially exposed to the elements with just thin insulation to protect them and the carvings.

Rebecca Thompson, superintendent of works at York Minster, said fixing work with lime mortar cannot go ahead if temperatures dip below five degrees celsius or if there is a danger the water used in the conservation process may freeze and cause damage.

Mrs Thompson said: “Although you can’t see the carvings from the ground, what they say is that God can see them – that was the whole idea of the intricate carvings when they built it in the medieval times.

“Without the detail up there it would be a whole different cathedral – you can’t see the intricate detail, but you can tell that it’s detailed.

“It’s fabulous workmanship and its a privilege to be part of the restoration. There’s layers of lime wash and as we are taking it off we are revealing the intricate carvings under there. It’s wonderful.”

Twenty-four masons are currently working on the huge restoration project at the East Front and Great East Window, which is expected to be completed by March 2016.