A YOUNG craftsman is developing his skills helping to preserve one of the North-East’s most famous buildings.

Durham Cathedral trainee stonemason Joe Robb has proved a quick learner as he has recently won an award.

The 18-year-old apprentice was presented with the Lindord-Bridgeman Ltd award for achievement in stonemasonry studies.

Although he usually works with the cathedral’s team of stonemasons, he spends one day a week on secondment at York College, during term time.

The college is a centre for vocational excellence for stonemasonry, delivering training for nearly 40 years.

Mr Robb receives formal training at the college and his studies complement the on-the-job training in the stonemasons’ yard at the cathedral workshops.

The cathedral has six fulltime stonemasons, as well as an apprentice who spends four years undergoing the training process before becoming fully qualified.

They work year-round, conserving and renewing the stonework to maintain the fabric of the Normanbuilt cathedral, a World Heritage site.

Mr Robb said: “The thing I like about working here is seeing parts of the building that aren’t accessible to the public.

“As well as spending time in the yard, I help fix stone and pointing, and we get to see the cathedral from all sorts of different angles.”

Overseeing his apprentice’s progress is Bob Matthews, the cathedral’s clerk of works.

He said: “Joe is extremely methodical in his work, particularly stone-carving.

“I am extremely proud that his work has been recognised in this way.”

Mr Robb received the Lindord-Bridgeman award from Dick Reid, of the York Guild of Building, at a ceremony at the college.