YORK'S Minster library could be saved, the Evening Press can reveal today.

A compromise deal is expected to be thrashed out between the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, and the Dean and Chapter whereby Dr Hope would agree to the imposition of charges for entry to the Minster, but the library would be retained in its present form.

The Evening Press understands it is even possible that a Minster librarian who has already been made redundant could get her job back.

A spokesman for the Archbishop, the Rev Rob Marshall, said today the Archbishop would be meeting the Dean and Chapter in two to three weeks time.

He was unable to comment on what the result of such a meeting would be.

But the Evening Press understands it is likely to be at that meeting the compromise deal could be agreed.

Campaigners against the library's closure reacted with delight to the news today.

Prof Philip Stell, a retired surgeon who has been using the library to translate Minster accounts from the medieval period, said: "If this is true, it is the best news I have heard for a long time. I think it is wonderful. The Dean and Chapter have treated staff in an appalling way."

Mr Marshall, who has also been asked to speak on behalf of the Dean and Chapter, would not be drawn on the question of library staff today, except to say: "Human resources are an extremely important part of what the Church is about and we are listening to any views that are expressed to us. We cannot discuss individual cases."

In further developments today, the Evening Press has learned that the Heritage Lottery Fund, which gave a grant of £967,000 for the extension of the library and archives in 1996, has written to the Chapter requesting full details of its proposals.

Tony Gilham, chairman of the Fabric Advisory Committee of York Minster, told the Evening Press he was "disappointed and surprised" that his committee had not been consulted over the proposed closure of the library.

"We would expect to be drawn into any discussions involving a significant change in either the Minster or its possessions," he said. "Under the code of practice we would expect that."

In what amounted almost to an apology over the way the issue had been handled, Mr Marshall said today: "We acknowledge that the consultation process around this needs to be reviewed."

Updated: 10:42 Thursday, June 05, 2003