Falling visitor numbers have been blamed on the loss

Figures obtained by the BBC show that the cathedral overspent by �600,000 in the year to March 2003.

It follows financial pressures in the two previous years which saw the Minster, one of York's biggest tourist attractions, record an operating deficit of �1,360,000.

Fluctuations in the stock market also wiped �2m off the value of its investments, accounts show.

The official figures reveal the extent of the financial pressures which led to the introduction of admission charges on 2 August.

If we are thinking of the Minster as a visitor attraction, we have gone from something in the region of two million visitors in 1996 to barely 500,000 now. Brigadier Peter Lyddon

The controversial move came after the failure of a high-profile voluntary donation scheme in 2002 which saw fewer than a quarter of visitors actually giving money.

As a result, only �128,000 went towards the cathedral's maintenance.

Chapter Clerk Brigadier Peter Lyddon told BBC Radio York the Minster was suffering because of falling visitor numbers.

He said: "Clearly the international situation and the lack of visitors to this country nationally has been a problem for everybody.

"If we are thinking of the Minster as a visitor attraction, we have gone from something in the region of two million visitors in 1996 to barely 500,000 now.

"One thing we could do to solve this overnight is to stop maintaining the Minster.

"But the chapter is committed to maintaining this wonderful house of God so it comes in at a price - and it is a considerable price."

Officials say they are working hard to balance the books and have not ruled out dropping compulsory charges if they can close the gap between costs and income.