PLANS to allow visitors into the crypt beneath Winchester Cathedral for the first time in more than two years were scuppered by the weather.

Staff at the cathedral revealed last week that water levels around Winchester had finally fallen low enough to allow people into the underbelly of the 800-year-old building.

However the torrential downpours of the past few days have significantly raised the water table to such a level that the dried out floor of the crypt is now soaking again and the opening has had to be postponed.

Had the crypt been opened it would have been a rare treat for visitors to not only catch a glimpse of the oldest part of the Norman cathedral, but also the treasures hidden away in the vaults.

When the crypt does finally reopen visitors should be able to see not only the statue up close, but also several Anglo-Saxon coffins from the nearby Old Minster site including some thought to be of royalty, and the well beneath the high altar.

However until that happens, visitors can still get access to the viewing platform during normal opening hours.