A voluntary charge of �3.50 has not raised enough money

The Very Reverend Raymond Furnell said the voluntary donation of �3.50 which visitors are already asked to pay has not brought in enough money.

The Dean explained that a decision to charge for admission had been taken in December 2001 but had been delayed while the voluntary scheme was tried.

"The experience has not been as successful as we would have hoped," he told BBC North Yorkshire.

Building care

"Around 20-25% of visitors have been paying the donation.

"So we are now having to revisit the question and we have decided to implement the charge."

The Minster says it needs to charge for admission to pay for the care of the building.

It is expected the present voluntary donation will become compulsory some time during the summer.