PIC in news - Wells topless

A landmark church in Plymouth is to go topless when Wells Cathedral Stonemasons remove the top 6m of the spire at St John the Evangelist Church, in Exeter Road.

The six-month project will see the Victorian church\'s Bath stone spire rebuilt by Wells. Replacing the upper spire is part of a wider programme of restoration that Wells Cathedral Stonemasons will undertake at the Plymouth church.

Work to carve the new spire sections will be carried out by masons at the company\'s Somerset base.

Managing director of Wells Cathedral Stonemasons, Peter Arkell, said: "Carving stone is not a quick job, but we know how the removal of a church spire can disturb an accustomed skyline, so we shall do our best to minimise the time that this fine church is spireless".