A STAINED glass conservator from York, who works on the Minster's windows, has won a prestigious £8,000 scholarship.

Tracy Holmes, 27, has won the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to study for a masters degree in conservation studies at the University of York.

Tracy graduated with a degree in theology and religion from York St John University and has been a trainee conservator at the York Glaziers' Trust for two years.

She said: "I love working at the Minster, which combines all my interests - theology, religion and conservation - and I am really looking forward to the challenge of my studies."

The scholarship has been handed out by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which aims to promote education in modern and traditional crafts.

Tracy said she hopes the skills she learns will be useful in future projects planned at the Minster, including conservation of the Great East Window.