FROM the window of his modest office tucked away in the Cathedral Precincts, Brigadier David Innes has a clear view of the mammoth task facing him.

Every day he looks out at the magnificent structure, knowing the full extent of its desperate need of major repairs.

With a career in military engineering behind him, Mr Innes is the chief executive of Canterbury Cathedral Developments Ltd. It means he is spearheading the international fund-raising appeal.

After 34 years in the Royal Engineers, Mr Innes left the Army as Engineer-in-Chief. He has a good grasp of what heritage experts have revealed about the dire state of the Cathedral and the scale of the works needed.

He said: "The last appeal for the Cathedral was in 1972, which raised £3.2m, which is about £26m in today's money. It has been spent very wisely by the trustees, who have done a fantastic job, but it has now nearly all gone.

"Most recently, £450,000 was spent on the restoration of the St Anselm's Chapel and another restoration project on the Corona is under way. But this building is 1,000 years old and there is a lot more urgent work that needs doing."

With admission fees and revenues from its shop and rented properties, the Dean and Chapter has an annual turnover over of about £6.2m. But Mr Innes says that it only allows "the business" to break even after all other staff, routine running and maintenance costs and educational and outreach programmes are paid for.

He said: "There is no money left over for any significant works, which is why we must have this appeal."

Mr Innes admitted there were many appeals for good causes, such as the children's hospice, Demelza House, which perhaps tugged at the heart strings more than the wear and tear of the Cathedral. But he said it was an iconic building that was the mother church of the Anglican Communion and held in great affection across the world. "There are a huge range of reasons why this building must not be allowed to decay," he said.

Planning the work will be an enormously complex process and the Dean and Chapter is expected to take on more apprentices and rely on additional outside expertise. Mr Innes added: "Some wealthy benefactors have already got the appeal rolling with generous donations and we hope to attract Lottery and other grant funding, as well as support from America and Japan.

"But every pound will count and be welcomed from even the smallest fund-raising event."

Before the appeal was officially launched it had received £5m in donations and pledges, including £10,000 from the Kent Messenger Group. Chairman Geraldine Allinson said: "The KM is pleased to be one of the initial donors and is encouraging other businesses and people to support this hugely important good cause."