Actresses, a journalist and a TV presenter are among the special guests invited to read in York Minster during its two Christmas Carol concerts.

Actress Honeysuckle Weeks who starred in the TV series Foyle’s War and BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent Robert Pigott will read at the concert on Thursday (5 December), with actress Cherie Lunghi returning on Friday (6 December) when she will be joined by Bargain Hunt’s Tim Wonnacott.

Dr Richard Shephard, director of development at the York Minster Fund, said: “These two concerts are such a crucial part of the Minster’s fundraising programme, that we are delighted that these wonderful readers have offered to donate their time.”

York Minster’s Christmas Carol Concerts feature music provided by the full York Minster Choir, who will sing a wide repertoire of classical and popular Christmas music, conducted by York Minster’s director of music, Robert Sharpe, accompanied on the organ by David Pipe. Leading the audience in Christmas carols will be the Yorkshire Volunteers Band.

Tickets have sold out for Friday but seats are available in the aisle areas for Thursday priced £12. The concerts start at 7pm and tickets can be booked at www.yorkminster.org by calling the Box Office on 01904 557208 or in person from the admissions desks inside York Minster.