THE new compulsory admission charges at York Minster have seen a 20 per cent increase in revenue, it was revealed today.

But figures released from the cathedral's accounts show that it overspent by more than £600,000 in 2002-03 - the third year running it has had a deficit in excess of £500,000.

The Evening Press has previously reported that the Minster expected to face these losses.

The charges, which involve a basic admission fee for adults of £4.50, were introduced at the beginning of August, following growing financial difficulties at the cathedral.

Chapter Steward Brigadier Peter Lyddon said today that they were turning the "financial situation around" and charging was having a "very good" impact.

In the three months prior to the introduction of charging, the Minster was down £4,000 per week, but now revenue had risen by about £4,000 per week.

Brigadier Lyddon said charging was justifiable, given the Minster's financial situation.

"Charging hasn't put many people off. We're encouraged by the number of people who have come.

"But we need to see a whole tourist year before we're comfortable.

"We need to improve gift aid, VAT recovery and look for sponsorship.

"We are new to this business and we need to talk to commercially-minded people which we are and learn from other cathedrals which we are in order to maximise revenue."

The release of the Minster accounts also revealed that its value of stocks and shares had dropped in value by £2 million.

Brigadier Lyddon has blamed their financial situation on a national downturn in tourism, the impact of the floods and the Iraq conflict.

"We're talking first and foremost about a house of God - that is what it's all about. Every day and every evening the Minster is full of worshippers."

Brigadier Lyddon said they could balance the books "overnight" by stopping the programme of restoration, but stressed that was not an option.

"It (maintaining the cathedral) comes at a price and a considerable price at that," he said.

The decision to introduce admission charging was taken after only one in four people gave money under the voluntary donation system.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, December 16, 2003