Legacy helps Gloucester Cathedral back to surplus

Gloucester Cathedral is back in the black thanks to a £355,000 legacy from an anonymous benefactor.

The cathedral recorded a £28,000 deficit last year, with the Church saying the recession had hit income.

This year's annual report reveals the cathedral made a surplus of £128,000.

Chapter Steward Mark Beckett said: "This result, despite the recession, is due to the generosity of many people - the congregations, charity trusts, local people and visitors."

The cathedral receives no money from the government or from its local parishes and - unlike many equivalents - has a policy of not charging visitors.