THE team faced with the task of raising around £3 million to restore Newport's cathedral was announced yesterday.

The rescue appeal committee will have to fund the major repairs needed to St Woolos Cathedral in Stow Hill.

Dean Richard Fenwick, group chairman, said members were chosen from all sectors of life, including commerce, industry and the arts. "We've got a big task in front of us," he said.

"But the people we have chosen all have tremendous ability."

The committee members were drawn from both inside and outside the church community.

They include experienced fundraisers, churchgoers and local business bosses like the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Simon Boyle, the incoming and outgoing mayors of Newport, council leader Bob Bright, former High Sheriff Brian Watkins, retired consultant surgeon Professor Brian Peeling, an experienced fundraiser, and Teleri Bevan, who chaired the St David's Cathedral Appeal.

It also includes David Morgan, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, minor canon Mark Soady, warden Dr Gwyn Thomas, Canon Brian Pippen, Malcolm Phillips, representing the cathedral congregation, and cathedral administrator Brian Cox.

A routine inspection of the cathedral, parts of which are nearly 1,000 years old, revealed urgent repairs were needed to the roof and outer walls. Oak trusses in the roof are rotting and the outer stone walls are flaking away. The clay roof tiles also need to be replaced.

Dean Fenwick said: "They will be responsible for the rescue of one of the most significant church buildings in South Wales."

The appeal will officially launch in July. It is thought the committee will need to raise around £1.5 million themselves before they can apply for match funding from the Heritage Lottery Funding and Cadw - the body which helps preserve historic monuments in Wales.

A report by structural engineers giving more details about the repair work will be released by the end of the month.

Canon Soady said church-goers are giving the project their full support, but warns the work may take years to complete.