IT is hoped that work to repair the roof of the Grade I listed Devon and Exeter Institution, which faces onto Cathedral Green, will start in June.

To date, £500,000 has been raised towards the total cost of £600,000 and the institution is hoping to be able to go out to tender in the next three weeks.

After heavy snowfall in December 2010, cracks began to appear in the plasterwork around the domed lanterns which allow light into the library, and further investigation revealed that the Georgian roof timbers had begun to crack.

In fact the whole roof had sunk by about 5in and the building which was gearing up to celebrate its bicentenary was deemed the most at risk building in the city.

John Manley-Tucker, the institution’s chairman, said:

“We have come through the winter without any problems.

“We have raised £500,000 and are putting in for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to find the remainder.

“If we didn’t have to pay VAT, which is £97,000, we would have enough to pay for the repairs!

“When we do get the roof exposed we have every intention of doing tours for the public and are putting in a special staircase to accommodate this.

“We are also in contact with the universities of Exeter and Plymouth so students studying buildings will be able to see how a Georgian roof was done.”