A Gloucester-based insurer is keen to lend its expertise to the French authorities as they come to terms with the horrific fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Ecclesiastical Insurance will offer "help, advice and practical support" as well as a "wealth of knowledge and expertise in restoration" if required.

News of the fire hit the news on Monday night and the world watched in horror as the 850-year-old roof was ravaged and a iconic spire collapsed.

Michael Angell, Church Operations Director at Ecclesiastical Insurance said: "It was absolutely heart breaking to see such a beautiful and historically significant Cathedral engulfed in flames.

"Our thoughts are with the people of France as they come to terms with the damage to such an iconic building.

"As a specialist insurer of churches and historic buildings, we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the restoration of these very special and complex buildings.

"We are looking to provide help, advice and practical support to Notre Dame during this difficult time."

In the hours before the tragic events in Paris unfolded on Monday evening, Ecclesiastical sent a press release highlighting how it had held a fire awareness course at Gloucester Cathedral.

The specialist insurer invited delegates from cathedrals and greater churches across the South West and West Midlands to the one-day event earlier this month.

Run by in-house church risk specialists Claire Attenborough and Kevin Thomas, the course featured talks from Oxford University fire officer Steve Emery and heritage fire consultant Stuart Kidd.

Those taking the course would have had no idea how relevant it would become as they watched the horrific pictures from Paris.

Angell added: "Helping our customers identify and reduce risk is a fundamental part of our business. Our in-house risk managers regularly run sessions on fire safety.

"In fact, we are currently running a series of specialist fire training sessions with our Cathedral and Greater Church customers across the UK, in addition to the regular risk management advice provided to all our church customers.

"While major fires like this are rare, we have unfortunately seen a number of significant losses in UK churches over the years.

"In the vast majority, these buildings have been fully restored despite substantial damage. We hope that this brings some degree of comfort to the people of Paris."