More visitors are on the cards for York Minster under two new schemes to give residents and children free entry.

Cathedral bosses have teamed up with the York Card scheme so anyone living in the city limits can save £10 a visit.

The Minster has also launched its York Schools Go Free initiative to give free access to pupils from nurseries, and schools in York.

The York Card can already be used for free entry to a number of attractions including Yorkshire Museum, Castle Museum, York Art Gallery and St Mary’s Church.

Cllr Sonja Crisp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “The Minster’s participation is a new major benefit for York Explore members and council tax payers.

“Adult visitors would expect to pay £10 admission to see this, one of the world’s great architectural treasures.”

The move is part of plans by the city library service York Explore to extend and improve the York Card package of offers.

Chief Executive Fiona Williams said: “It is wonderful to be able to work with the Minster in this way.”

Minster Marketing Director Nicola Bexton added: “We hope many York residents who haven't visited for a while take the opportunity to come and see everything that has changed over the last few years.”

The free admission applies not only to the cathedral, but also the Orb - a chance to see some of the medieval artwork from the Great East Window up close.

The offer also covers the new underground interactive visitor attraction, Revealing York Minster, which celebrates the first anniversary of its opening next week.

“All residents need to do is to show their York Card at the admissions desks, and they can enjoy the Minster at their leisure - and will hopefully bring back any visiting friends or relatives for a visit in the future,” she added.

Anyone living within the City of York boundary can apply for a York Card for £3 a year.

Visits to the tower or to concerts will need to be paid for at the regular prices.

Children from Tang Hall Primary School joined members of York Minster’s learning team to mark the launch of the schools scheme yesterday.