School mosaics to be saved from destruction

A series of "incredibly precious" mosaics hidden in a girls' school in Manchester are to be saved after coming minutes away from being destroyed.

The "beautifully designed" friezes, crafted from handmade Venetian glass, were hidden behind wooden panels at the former Chorlton Convent High School for Girls.

The building was due being pulled down when a group of local residents got involved at the last moment.

It is thought the Christian mosaics, believed to have been created in the early 1900s, were covered over and forgotten about when the school was taken over by the Manchester Islamic High School for Girls around 1991.

Local resident Tracey Cartledge - who works in restoration - flagged the discovery to colleagues in the art world, local councillors and Historic England in an effort to save the mosaics.

"It's made of absolutely beautiful Venetian handmade glass, gold leaf, and a very rare recycled mosaic glass that was made in London for a limited period," Tracey explained.

"The whole thing is incredibly precious - not just because of the materials used - but because of the high-quality of... the work".

Developer Cube Homes, which was in demolishing the school to build new houses, has agreed to partly fund the restoration and it's hoped fundraising will help pay for the rest.

Earlier this year a separate mural depicting Mary and baby Jesus at the entrance to the school was also saved.