The key role played by an evening paper to help raise £7.3m to save a historic cathedral has been praised by fund-raisers.

The Duke of Gloucester heard of the work done by the Peterborough Evening Telegraph to help the city’s cathedral reach its restoration fund target.

The Duke, patron of the fund, was among the guests at a special celebratory dinner held to mark the achievement.

Fund chairman Sir Stephen Hastings paid tribute to the contribution of the Evening Telegraph, whose editor Kevin Booth and managing director Chris Pennock were both at the event.

Sir Stephen told guests: “They have been true and devoted supporters of the campaign from its inception until now. I have no doubt that they have played a significant part in our success.”

The Evening Telegraph launched its “Save the Cathedral” campaign shortly after the fund was set up five years ago. Readers have helped with contributions from money-raising events.

In a Page One comment announcing that the cathedral had hit the £7.3m target, the Telegraph told its readers: “When the appeal was launched five years ago, it looked a mountain to climb.

“But we said then it was a challenge that had to be met, or Peterborough and this generation would be forever shamed for squandering our heritage.

“The people of Peterborough heard the message and responded, as always, with generosity of spirit and hands pushed deep into pockets to help.”

The money – which includes three personal donations from Prince Charles – will pay for work to restore the ceiling, relay the marble floor and repair stonework on the crumbling parapets of the 1350-year-old landmark.

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