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Cathedral sculptures research, which had been abandoned by Exeter University because it was not eligible for the research assessment exercise, has won funding from Leverhulme Trust.

Exeter pulled the plug on the project involving medieval sculptures of Exeter Cathedral when it realised that a change to the 2001 RAE timetable meant the work would be ineligible because its key researcher, Avril Henry (above), would have retired by the submission date.

Although the university decided to deny Professor Henry just Pounds 3,364 to complete an interactive computer application providing a catalogue of the sculptures, it conceded that her work was "worthwhile in itself" and of international standing.

Leverhulme has recognised this by awarding Professor Henry a Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship of Pounds 16,900 over seven months to finish the project.

Professor Henry said she would continue with a petition to the Queen, Exeter's visitor, to rule on her grievance case.