Getty's £5m for St Paul's restoration

The effort to restore St Paul's Cathedral in time for its 300th anniversary has received a £5 million boost from philanthropist Sir Paul Getty.

Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, built between 1665 and 1710 , has become increasingly affected by London's pollution.

The cathedral is hoping to raise £40 million for its refurbishment. Sir Paul's cash brings the total to £21.5 million-The US-born 69-year-old, now a British citizen, said: "St Paul's Cathedral, which I first saw as a boy standing proud above the ruins of the war, is at the very heart of England's history.

"It must be made to shine and inspire again and I am very happy to help." His donation means the cathedral's West Front will be cleaned in time for the anniversary in 2010.

The Dean of the cathedral, the Very Reverend Dr John Moses, said: "The Chapter of the Cathedral cannot thank Sir Paul enough.

"When the work is complete the many millions of visitors to St Paul's will derive enormous pleasure from the results."

Last July the National Gallery announced it had been given a £10 million donation by the Getty family, which will be used to redesign its East Wing.

Construction is due to start in September at the same time as work to pedestrianise the north side of Trafalgar Square.

The new entrance will be named after Sir Paul, who himself donated ? 50 million to the gallery in 1985.