The 15-foot high column had been pushed to the ground by vandals, causing it to shatter into pieces.

Every section was to be salvaged and conserved and put back into its original position using carefully placed indent repairs and stainless steel pins and dowels.

Each course of the base of the cross was numbered, recorded in situ and then moved out of position and laid out on boards.

Each course was laid out in its original confiuration and every stone was repaired before being reinstated in the correct position on reinstatement.

Once the cross had been entirely dismantled, deeper exploration holes were dug to a depth of almost a metre in order to establish the stability of the ground.

Two options were explored, the first being the insertion of reinforced piles at each of the eight corners, the second being the full excavation of the ground and a solid base being compacted into place.

After extensive discussions with the archaeologist and English Heritage, it was decided to plump for the second option.