PARIS - Work is about to begin on decontaminating the streets around the Notre-Dame cathedral after high levels of lead were detected following the blaze at the landmark in April.

Fences have been erected in a number of Paris streets and a bridge has been put up around the cathedral as specialists prepare to start work.

The culture ministry said workers planned to use two decontamination techniques including spreading a gel on public benches, street lights and other fixtures to absorb the lead.

It will then be allowed to dry for several days before it is removed.

High pressure water jets with chemical agents are also to be deployed in the clean-up operation.

Work inside Notre-Dame that was suspended last month for safety reasons will resume next week.

Hundreds of tonnes of lead in Notre Dame's spire and roof melted during the fire.(FA)