Gloucester Cathedral has thanked supporters for backing its £1million Beacon of Hope appeal.

Launched in June to help fill the £1.3million hole in visitor and events income caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the appeal hit its target by Christmas to help the Cathedral remain open.

The Cathedral will acknowledge the support during a special live streamed Candlemas service on Sunday.

The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester, said: "In a time short of good news, it is amazing so many have shown their support for the Cathedral as we seek to continue to serve and to be, literally, a Beacon of Hope.

"The £1million needed was to plug the gap in our working finances caused by the pandemic, so the Cathedral could remain open and available to all at this time of most pressing need.

"Thanks to the extraordinary response from across Gloucestershire and beyond, we were able to reach that target."

Funds have enabled the Cathedral to continue daily worship in person or online, supported vulnerable people through a Breakfast Club and host cultural events such as Luke Jerram's Gaia and the From Your Cathedral to You Christmas campaign.

The Dean said: "We'd like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the appeal.

"Thanks to you, we will be able to support the recovery effort in 2021 and can be confident that we will be able to welcome all as lockdown eases and continue to be that good news for all.".