THE grandson of the architect who designed much of Blackburn Cathedral has made a pilgrimage to the building he had never seen.

Andrew Forsyth is keen to find out about William Forsyth, who died in 1950. He never knew his grandfather, but he and wife Bernice have been tracing his life and work.

They have travelled from London to Scotland, Northumberland and Lancashire, tracing their family's roots and seeing buildings with Forsyth family connections.

Andrew said: "Blackburn Cathedral was probably the biggest project my grandfather was involved in. "I had some idea of what to expect, from seeing his other work and sketches, but it's great to see it for real." Andrew, 58, of Surrey, unearthed a file on his grandfather which includes material on Blackburn Cathedral, plus the schools he designed and his conservation work for the National Trust and Salisbury Cathedral.

William Forsyth had Scottish parents but grew up in London where he set up a partnership, Forsyth and Maule.

When Blackburn Diocese was formed in 1926, he was appointed to draw a variety of cathedral plans with a new cathedral entrance and a octagonal tower and double-tiered roof.

Building began in 1938 but was delayed by World War Two, resuming in the 1950s. William was succeeded by Lawrence King and the cathedral was reconsecrated in 1977, with internal work complete, although external work is ongoing.. It's all very interesting."

Canon Andrew Hindley said: " William Forsyth was quite a visionary. I'm sure his grandson's visit was quite poignant because Blackburn Cathedral is a very fine building. We'd be interested in seeing how research develops."