A temporary charity scheme for one night only, the Cathedral was first blacked out, and then slowly, to the sound of a beating drum, the lighting was gently brought up, stage by stage until the whole of the west front and the dome were flooded in red light.

The project was covered by television and the press worldwide as part of an international event designed to draw attention to World Aids Day. Famous buildings around the globe were lit as dusk fell in each location so that slowly, over a period of 24 hours, each glowed red.