How olive oil could save York Minster

Historic buildings being eroded by acid rain could be saved by a coating of olive oil, experts claimed yesterday. Trials have begun at York Minster cathedral, where ancient masonry made from limestone is at risk. Laboratory tests have shown a “cheap and simple” coating of the oil, more commonly associated with salad dressing, repels water and the sulphurous pollutants which cause limestone buildings to turn black and crumble.