The girls spent a night sleeping rough in a disused shop

Holly Wilson, 15, Charity Mapletoft, 14, and Chiara Simpson, 15, set up a stall outside York Minster to collect donations for Christian Aid.

The girls said they admired Dr John Sentamu's vigil highlighting the plight of those in Israel and Lebanon.

He has moved into a tent in York Minster and is fasting for a week.

Miss Mapletoft said: "I think he is an absolutely extraordinary man, because not many people would do that willingly, and he is fasting for a whole week, which I think is amazing.

The archbishop is leading prayer every hour during his vigil

"As a person he is so nice to talk to and I get on with him quite well, as little as I have known him."

Dr Sentamu said he was pleased to have the support of the three girls, from York.

He said: "If you see the pictures, both from Israel as well as Lebanon, (people) are coping in terrible, terrible conditions, and some of them haven't had food for a very long time.

"I get good, fresh water, clean water, and I am living in these wonderful glorious surroundings called York Minster."