YORK Minster is planning to sell a number of properties in the city - but the money raised won't help the cathedral's £23 million restoration appeal.

The proceeds will be invested in other assets to bring a better return on investments, said a spokeswoman.

She said a mix of commercial and residential properties owned by the Dean & Chapter were to be put on the market, probably within the next 12 months.

However, she could not at this stage identify which ones were to go, although she could confirm that neither the Deanery nor the Canons' houses behind the Minster would be sold.

"The proceeds from these sales will be reinvested in other approved assets to bring a better return on investment," she said.

"The properties concerned form part of the endowed funds. This means the funds raised from the sales cannot be spent and must be maintained in other approved investment assets. Only the income from these funds can be used to contribute to the Dean and Chapter's general running costs.

"The sale will also mean that the Dean and Chapter's overall investment portfolio becomes more balanced."

Chapter Steward Canon Stephen Anderson said such a decision had not been taken lightly.

"Making changes in the way we safeguard our historic assets should only be considered after the most careful consideration of needs, return, alternatives and after taking professional advice," he said.

"The reality is that our investment portfolio overall is too dependent upon property and the added risk of it all being in one location. We expect returns will improve after reinvestment of the proceeds into other investment assets. This will benefit the work of running the minster every day."

The minster launched its biggest appeal in 2005, seeking to raise £23 million to restore the crumbling East Front, with another £7 million needed to secure the long-term future of the Minster's choir, library and educational work.