WINCHESTER Cathedral is offering a series of special tours to celebrate the deep-sea diver who saved the historic building "with his own two hands".

William Walker was experienced in underwater construction work and, in 1906, engineer, Francis Fox, called him in to shore up the waterlogged foundations and so stop the cathedral sinking into the marshy land on which it had been built.

Mary Call, organiser of the tours, said: "William Walker's feat captured the imagination of the nation.

"The underpinning and consolidation of the walls to secure the cathedral for future generations cost nearly £120,000 - approximately £20m in today's money."

Cathedral visitors can watch a video about the project and follow the volunteer guides on a journey of exploration, examining archive pictures, visiting the crypt and east end of the building, and viewing the different statues depicting Walker.

To book a tour, or for further information, ring 01962 857225.