THE disabled access to the shrine of St Alban at the cathedral has been praised in a recent study by English Heritage.

Projects to enhance cathedrals across the country have been highlighted while looking into the state of the nation's sites.

The need to provide disabled visitors with access to the Saint's Chapel, which until recently was only accessible via a flight of stairs, presented a challenge to St Albans Abbey.

However the report describes its “elegance and dignity providing both spiritual and physical access".

Gregg Luton, English Heritage regional director in the East of England, said: “Cathedrals are inspirational places, but they need to be forward-thinking and constantly review how they use these wonderful spaces.

“At Norwich Cathedral the development manages to be emphatically modern while keeping its roots deep in the past.

“At Ely and St Albans two projects have proved access and and helped to open up the cathedrals to a wider public.

“All three richly deserve praise in this fascinating new publication.”

Between 1991 and 2009 English Heritage pledged more than £50m for cathedral repairs with St Albans receiving a total of £1,108,500.