Restoration works to the highest part of Birmingham Cathedral have created rare views across the city centre.

A giant ‘cherry-picker’ crane on a special reinforced support is being used to give specialist workers access to the orb and weather vane for the work of re-gilding.

The weather vane is almost 200 feet above ground, giving workers unique views across Colmore Row and Birmingham city centre.

Dean of Birmingham Cathedral, the Very Revd Catherine Ogle, said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing this part of the restoration work.

“The re-gilding of the weather vane and orb is going to be a remarkable sight and well worth witnessing and documenting. When the re-gilded vane and orb are restored, the highest and crowning point of the Cathedral will be worthy, once again, of the Cathedral in the nation’s second city.”

The work has been highly visible throughout the Colmore Business District during August.

The main building was completed in 1715 but the tower, dome, orb, weather vane and cross were added in 1725.

In 1723 Sir Richard Gough, a landowner from the Calthorpe estate in Edgbaston persuaded then Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole to make a donation of £600 from the King, George I.

In honour of Gough’s intervention, which is recorded on the plaque over the main entrance door, the weather vane was designed to incorporate a boar’s head, a reference to the Gough’s family crest. Nearly 300 years later the current works have been supported financially by Calthorpe Estates.

Pictures: Darren Quinton