Singers and visitors hit high notes at York Minster (From York Press)

Singers and visitors hit high notes at York Minster Christmas event

8:57am Wednesday 23rd December 2009 in News By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

THOUSANDS of worshippers gathered at York Minster last night to air their festive voices as the historic cathedral filled with the sound of carols.

The latest event in its Christmas celebrations saw the first of two Nine Lessons and Carols services staged in the famous church, with about 2,500 people attending.

Visitors to the Minster have been taking the opportunity to see snow-covered York and the surrounding countryside from a fresh angle through special pre-Christmas trips to the top of its central tower.

The treks up 275 steps to one of the city’s highest points, which will be available again tonight, have seen those attending hear about the real St Nicholas – now more popularly known as Santa Claus – and the true meaning of Christmas.

Once at the heights of the Minster, children have been presented with a gift as parents warmed themselves with mulled wine and mince pies. Proceeds from the trips, which cost £15 for adults and £10 for under-16s, go towards ongoing conservation and restoration work.

The visits can be booked at the cathedral’s information desk.

The second Nine Lessons and Carols event will be held at 4pm on Christmas Eve and is free to attend, with Midnight Mass following at 11.30pm.

For more information, log on to yorkminster.org