YORK Minster will change colour when the city's festive season is launched next week.

For the first time in the ancient building's history, and for one night only, Thursday, November 28, it will be covered in multi-coloured light as the switch is thrown on Christmas decorations in Duncombe Place.

The ceremony will also mark the start of York's late-night Christmas shopping for this year.

Traversing spotlights will highlight areas of the spectacular elevation of the Minster.

Mark Brayshaw, of Rockin' Horse Promotions, which has been asked to organise the lighting, said: "At the beginning of the switch-on ceremony, the facade of the Minster will be in darkness with the Great West Window lit from the inside.

"The moment the Christmas lights are turned on, the Minster will be covered in light from high-wattage colour floodlighting.

"The colours we are using are being kept a surprise."

The switch-on show, from 6pm on November 28, will star panto favourites Berwick Kaler and Martin Barrass, snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, and local up-and-coming pop star Stacey Ace.

Updated: 16:24 Wednesday, November 20, 2002