Holy skyscrapers! The ascension of St Paul's

It could be a novel solution to the problem of how to protect St Paul's Cathedral from a rash of tall buildings springing up around it.

Architect Tarek Merlin proposes extending Wren's masterpiece skywards so it is not blotted out by the rising city skyline.

Mr Merlin said: "The Greater London Authority's protection of St Paul's means that surrounding buildings and towers have to be designed so as to preserve the view from various points around London. With Boris Johnson coming in to power there is a strong feeling within the industry that he will restrict building projects in London.

"Elevating St Paul's above London would mean that everybody could see it and we would no longer have to worry about the view corridor."

Speaking at the Royal Institute of British Architect's Futures Fair, he added: "Obviously, the idea is tongue in cheek but it's supposed to get everybody talking."