YORK Minster claims that 'kind people' who have offered to help ensure the cathedral's bells will ring out this Christmas have been subjected to intimidation.

The Minster also claimed at least one member of the clergy who had offered to help had been threatened with legal action.

It said in a hard-hitting statement: "Bell ringing leaders from other parts of the county and country have been in contact to explore options for ringing in the next few days and months. 

"We have also been approached by individuals keen to help and who are supportive of the action Chapter has taken.

"However we have learned that many of these kind people have been subjected to intimidation on social media and in the local press."

The statement was issued this afternoon, hours after The Press revealed that its axed bellringers had offered to return and ring the bells at Christmas services.

The York Minster Society of Change Ringers said in a statement posted on its website that it would willingly ring the bells for all Christmas services if asked to do so by the Dean and Chapter.

"This can be a temporary arrangement until difficulties are worked out in 2017," it said. "We would note that 20 of our members hold current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service ) certificates which should cover any safeguarding concerns."

The offer came after The Press revealed that Leeds Minster bellringers had turned down an invitation to come over to York and ring the bells over the Christmas period, with the deputy ringing master saying they felt it would be 'the wrong thing to do,' adding:“You could see it as an act of solidarity with our fellow bellringers in York.”

The Minster said this afternoon: "Given the Church’s recent history and safeguarding concerns now emerging in other sectors, the Chapter of York remains resolute that it will maintain the highest standards of welfare and safeguarding for all.

"Chapter’s strong preference had been to remain silent on these matters to protect the privacy of those affected. Given the ongoing interest, however, Chapter has felt it necessary to make this statement.

"We are exploring options for ringing at Christmas. As we continue to do this, we hope that people will be able to approach us impartially and without fear of intimidation."

More than 17,000 people signed a petition calling for York’s ringers to be reinstated after they were axed in October.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, later backed the decision, saying the team was disbanded because some members of the Minster Society of Change Ringers had consistently challenged the Chapter’s authority over safeguarding issues - a claim which the society denied.