A CEILING in York Art Gallery is to be replaced at a cost of about £200,000 after part of the building had to be closed over safety fears.

A City of York Council report said that "significant amounts" of plaster from the original ceiling had fallen on to the top of the modern suspended ceiling at the gallery, which is currently showing an exhibition by Tracey Emin.

The report states the entire South Gallery ceiling would have to be renewed, with architects putting the cost in the region of £200,000.

The council will not lose out financially because the money had already been allocated to York Museum Trust - which runs the art gallery - but it is not yet known if the money could have been spent elsewhere.

The trust - which had to close the South Gallery a few months ago - also runs some of York's biggest museums, such as the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens and York Castle Museum. Janet Barnes, chief executive of the trust, said: "The South Gallery ceiling in the art gallery needs replacing for health and safety reasons which will mean that other works, such as renewing the lighting, will be necessary.

"A total of £200,000 will be given to us by the council in recognition that this is essential work which will enable us to reopen the gallery for people to enjoy as soon as possible. We are planning to reopen in April with a brand new exhibition on Stubbs and new displays from the collection."

The report says: "A serious problem has arisen at the art gallery with the roof over the south gallery. The gallery has had to be closed in the interests of health and safety. The trust will progress the scheme to replace the ceiling as rapidly as possible having first obtained landlord's approval for the detailed scheme once it is drawn up."

The report will be considered at a meeting of the council's executive member for leisure and culture and advisory panel on October 19.