THE new Archbishop of York has vowed to throw open the doors of Bishopthorpe Palace to the people - and sometimes he might even cook for visitors!

In his first interview since his appointment was announced, Bishop John Sentamu told the Evening Press that he planned to welcome all walks of life at his door.

"I will be staying at the palace, but what's important is how it's used," he said.

"If it is filled with different types of people then it won't be ostentatious.

"I like cooking for lots of people, so I need to find some good Yorkshire recipes!"

Bishop John was cheered as he walked along Duncombe Place to York Minster where a short service was held to welcome him to the city.

Asked at a press conference whether he would be supporting York City when he takes up the post, he said: "They will often be in my prayers.

"But I've been a Manchester United fan since I was 17."

He said he was horrified by Malcolm Glazer's takeover of the club.

Bishop John said he supported the ordination of women priests, and also said: "There is no place for homophobia in the church.

"We need to disagree in a holy, Christ-like kind of way."

Bishop John, who was accompanied by his wife, Margaret, said he felt blessed that he was following in the footsteps of two "great" Archbishops of York, Dr John Habgood and Dr David Hope, as they had laid important foundations.

"I feel really excited about coming up north," he told the Evening Press.

"My vision for the church is really all about mission. We need to make sure the church is people's spiritual home and we need to engage the young.

"I'm hoping there will be a sense of excitement. I'm used to plain speaking and you don't get it any better than in York. It's a wonderful city."

Bishop John said that before taking up the post, he hoped to put in place measures to prevent youngsters from getting involved in the gun culture in Birmingham.

He said the "question of drugs was everywhere" and said he hoped to put the lessons learned in the Midlands to help people in Yorkshire.

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, June 18, 2005