Around 1.4m people visit the Minster each year

It follows the failure of a voluntary donation scheme to raise enough money for the cathedral's future spending plans.

So from 2 August, an admission fee of �4.50 will be introduced.

It is hoped the new charges will help to reduce the Minster's current �600,000 annual deficit.

But opponents say the charge, which is 50p more than entry to Canterbury Cathedral, is too high and the public should have been consulted on the plans.

'Reluctant' decision

The idea was proposed by the former Dean, the Very Reverend Raymond Furnell, who has since retired.

He had said a suggested donation of �3.50 for adults was not working, with only one in four visitors giving any money.

Around 1.4m people visit York Minster each year.

Last month the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, said he had reluctantly decided to back the charges.

He said: "I have reluctantly concluded, and with some disappointment that given the present situation and circumstances the chapter has little option other than to proceed with their decision."