Plans have been announced to give Westminster Abbey a £10m crown-shaped roof, which would be the first major building project at the London landmark for 250 years.

The dean of the Abbey, John Hall, wants the corona to replace the building's 1950s pyramid roof in front of the high altar in time for the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation at the same spot in 2013.

The new roof is part of a £23m development plan for the abbey, including a new museum in its upper floors.

The proposals have already been run past the Queen and Prince Charles. but Hall said the scheme would not go ahead unless it had the backing of the public following a public consultation.

An exhibition and public consultation on the plans opens in the Abbey's chapter house on 30 June and will run until September.