YORK Minster has been blasted as too commercial after joining with a supermarket to offer cheap tickets.

A York Synod member has slammed the decision to offer cut-price admission to the historic centre of worship by Morrison's Supermarket.

"This is taking commercialism too far," said Synod member Frank Harris, of Derwent Deanery.

"It is stretching the idea of charging at the Minster to absurd lengths.

"I approve of the free pass for York people, indeed I hope the charges are removed all together, but this is too much.

"I just hope one day they will be able to rescind the charges altogether, so we can see the end of these kind of things."

The offer will see Morrison's customers receive two-for-one admission at the Minster when they spend more than £30 at the supermarket. The offer will include entry to attractions including Jorvik and Harewood House.

Now, after introducing the controversial £4.50 entrance charge in August this year, the Minster is the latest tourist attraction to be added to the list.

Visitor centre manager Steve Hemming said: "We have done offers for a number of years in conjunction with the tourism bureau to try to encourage visitors.

"The offers in the past have been done for things like the Undercroft, so from our point of view this is not a new development. It is just something we do to try to attract more visitors.

"We are trying to overcome a budget deficit and raise more money to keep the building open and keep it open as a place of worship."

Acting Dean Glyn Webster said the two-for-one offer was part of a drive at the Minster to attract as many visitors as possible from all walks of life.

"The current two-for-one offer at the Minster will hopefully raise awareness of what the Minster has to offer and hopefully will attract people here who would not pay otherwise."

He said the cash raised by admission charges would help pay for the upkeep of the landmark as well as secure the jobs of those that work there.

A spokeswoman for Morrison's said: "As a Yorkshire-based company, Morrison's are keen to help promote the region's attractions. The two-for-one offer will hopefully help to raise the awareness of each of these attractions."

Updated: 10:51 Friday, October 03, 2003