Lincoln Cathedral announces 20-year tourism plan

The cathedral's medieval and Wren libraries are home to a collection of 10,000 rare books

Lincoln Cathedral has announced a 20-year plan to ensure the building gains worldwide recognition as a major heritage attraction.

The first phase has already won backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with a grant of £900,000 and a further £11.3m earmarked for further development.

It is part of a £16m scheme, which includes new visitor facilities and landscaping.

Future plans include creating wider access to its library collection.

The first phase of work is part of the Lincoln Cathedral Connected project, due for completion by 2020.

The project aims to use technology to tell the story of the history, archaeology and architecture of the building, including that of the Romans who built the first defensive fort in 60AD on the site.

The scheme, which ties in with the recent renovation of the neighbouring castle, includes plans for a new interpretation centre.

The second phase of development aims to preserve the cathedral's book collection and make it more accessible to visitors.

The cathedral's medieval and Wren libraries are home to a collection of 10,000 rare books and 260 mediaeval manuscripts.

The books range in topics from poetry to the study of sundials and from atlases to scientific works.

The oldest manuscript in the collection is a copy of the sermons of the Venerable Bede, which dates back to the 10th Century.

A third phase would see further landscaping around the south side of the building.

Officials will need to raise in the region of £7m to help fund the plans.