Only 25% of people are giving a voluntary donation

The religious parliament for the Anglican Church in York has voted to oppose the proposed admission charges for the city's Minster.

York Diocesan Synod carried an emergency motion at its meeting on Saturday relating to the charges.

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

The Synod cannot stop the charges but hopes the vote will influence the Dean and Chapter to reverse their decision.

Synod member Frank Harris said: "This is the first opportunity we have had to discuss the admission charges and an emergency motion was put down so there should be really serious discussion."

Currently, only 25% of the one million visitors pay the voluntary donation to the Minster.

The admission charges are due to come into effect from the summer.