A leading Italian art restorer has denied his team has permanently damaged a series of medieval frescoes by Giotto and other artists.

Sergio Fusetti, lead restorer at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, said claims by an expert reported in the Italian press over damage to the frescoes were completely unfounded.

“The problem doesn’t exist. We carry out regular checks and maintenance, taking off the hard dust that’s been deposited on the frescoes. We have never done anything without the authorisation from the superintendency, which is the culture ministry in the territory,” he told the Guardian.