The awe-inspiring British cave that could swallow an entire cathedral whole

A tiny figure dangles terrifyingly in empty air above a vast drop as rock walls plunge into the darkness below.The stunning interior of Britain's biggest known cave chamber is revealed in a series of awe-inspiring photographs.

The pictures were taken as Gaping Gill was lit by floodlights to give members of the public a rare chance to venture into the cavern which is so huge that the entire nave of York Minster could fit inside it.

Cave enthusiasts were winched one by one down the gigantic pothole in Ingleborough, North Yorkshire - a hair-raising descent that takes a full minute to reach the floor.

Gaping Gill was opened to the public over the weekend and people will have the chance to explore the spectacular cave system throughout the week.

The cavern was formed by the action of a stream, Fell Beck, which flows from the flank of 2,373ft Ingleborough, the second highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, on to limestone rocks and roars down a dizzying 360ft drop in a natural fault line. The plunging torrent forms Britain's highest unbroken waterfall - twice the height of Niagara.

The main chamber is 476ft long, 82ft wide and 115ft from floor to vaulted ceiling.
Bradford Potholing Club organised the winch visit and will be taking more members of the public into the cave this week. (Daily Mail)