Church leaders at Durham Cathedral say they have no plans to charge admission fees, despite a national row over charging policies.

While cathedrals like Canterbury charge �3.50 to get in, and Westminster Abbey charge �6, it is free to get into the majestic Durham Cathedral.

But the Church of England is facing growing financial pressure, and the cost of running a cathedral runs into hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

Not the issue is to be debated at Church of England Synod with Southwark Diocese calling for all fees to be dropped, but others like Ely saying they rely on charges.

'No barriers'

Canon Martin Kitchen is the Acting Dean of Durham Cathedral, said: "We don't get any direct grant from the government but just about manage to make ends meet.

"We considered the idea of bringing in charging a few years ago, but decided not to ask people to have to pay.

"There is a charge to enter our exhibitions but entry to the cathedral is free.

"The cathedral is here primarily for Christian worship and Christian mission, but also to welcome people.

"We hope we will never have to charge, we don't want to prevent any barrier to people coming in."

It costs �2m a year for the upkeep of the cathedral and visitors are asked to make a voluntary donation, with �4 keeping it running for a minute.