Truro Cathedral is offering the public a chance to have their name go down in history as part of an appeal to refurbish the 19th century roof.

The cathedral's Sign-A-Slate appeal is offering donors the chance to sign or write a message on the back of one of the 60,000 new slates being used to re-slate the cathedral roof, meaning their words will remain part of the building's fabric for generations to come.

The dean of Truro, the Very Reverend Roger Bush, said: “The cathedral is a beautiful and special place that means many different things to many different people. It is people that form the heart of the cathedral and so it was very important to us to find a way for everyone to get involved and feel part of this important restoration project.

“Sign-A-Slate feels like a very fitting way to do that, providing people with a unique opportunity to leave a personal and lasting message within this special building.”

The cathedral is offering anyone paying £5 the chance to write on one-sixth slate, with a whole blank slate costing £25, and for £250 donors get to sign a slate at an invitation-only drinks reception hosted by the dean, and everyone who donates will get a certificate of thanks and their name added to a supporters book to be displayed in the cathedral.

So far the cathedral has raised £504,000 of the £3.2 million needed for the five year project to repair the roof, which is still covered by the original slates laid between 1885 and 1908.

Currently the slates are delaminating, as layers of the individual tiles deteriorate, while the nails that hold them have corroded and the nail holes are breaking, meaning the tiles are slipping and leaving gaps in the roof.

Izaak Hudson, cathedral architect, said: “For those of us who will be laying the new slates that have been signed, it will be a real honour as every single one will be a reminder of the various ways people value and support the preservation of Cornwall’s only cathedral.”

To take part in Sign-A-Slate, visit the ‘Slate Station’ in the cathedral between 10am and 3pm from Monday to Saturday.

Those wishing to take part who are unable to visit the cathedral, or simply wishing to donate, can go to the appeal website at www.tcroofappeal.org.uk