Asbestos has been found in the ChristChurch Cathedral grounds, which the building's owner say is hindering a site clean up.

Photo: 123rf.com

The building was devastated by the Canterbury earthquakes seven years ago, and has lain in ruins in the city centre since then.

The Anglican Synod has voted to restore the building, but work has still not begun.

Church Property Trustees general manager Gavin Holley said the group wanted to clean up the area around the war memorial in the cathedral grounds, before Anzac Day.

But Mr Holley said small amounts of asbestos had been found in hard fill delivered to the site after the earthquakes.

Hs said the contaminated ground was being covered so RSA members would still be able to lay a wreath tomorrow.