Worms are ruining religious chalk carvings found in underground caves in Hertfordshire. The seven hundred year old caves in the centre of Royston contain religious iconography that could be linked to the Knights Templar.
However, water has started to leak in to the cave under Melbourn Street.
The water is attracting worms which are eating the chalk and therefore eroding the precious religious symbols that are carved in to the cave's walls.
Little Holes
It has only become a recent problem because the water contains nutrients which were not present in earlier centuries.
Manager at the cave James Robinson met with the presenter of Melting Pot on BBC Three Counties Radio.
James told Ian Pearce about the problem:
"They are attracted by nutrients that have soaked in to the chalk walls.
"There are definitely worms in here, two different sorts. They make tiny little holes in the chalk."
The carvings will not disappear completely as long as the cave is preserved.
James said conserving the cave is a hard job:
"It is unique because it is underground, made of chalk and conservation on such a structure has not happened much before."
"We've been trying to conserve the caves for years," he revealed.
"I don't think we are in any danger of losing the cave but we are trying to slow down the aging process.
"To do that we need to control the moisture level and by doing that, it would control the worms."
Water is coming through a grate in the ceiling of the cave, which was made many years ago to improve air circulation.
Royston and District History Society who run the cave on behalf of the town council are having a re-think on whether to seal up the grate.
The caves which are found under a betting shop in the town have always proved a bit of a mystery.
Spiritual Significance
The religious carvings lead many experts to believe they were made by the Knights Templar who were based in nearby Baldock.
However, others believe the cave to be an early Masonic meeting place.
Two ley-lines cross at the location and some attribute a spiritual significance to the cave.
Although the carvings are not going to vanish overnight, the search is on to prevent the water entering the cave and permeating through the chalk.