TWO York tourists made history today as the first paying visitors to York Minster.

Michael Corby and Barrie Melville, from Northamptonshire, said they were happy to pay the new £4.50 admission fee.

It was introduced from 9am today as a way of reducing the cathedral's huge budget deficit.

Mr Corby, who is in York to play bowls, said: "I'm quite proud to be the first paying customer.

"We were expecting to pay before we came, anyway. It's only right for such a marvellous building like this."

Mr Melville said: "This is how it should be. I have no complaints."

Pensioner Ethel Atherton was the first York resident to use a free permit to get in.

"I'm really pleased with the pass because I come into the Minster quite a lot," she said.

"If the Minster is so short of money then they don't have any choice but to charge tourists."

Those wishing to pray at the Minster will not be charged and visitors can enter free of charge between 7am and 9am and after Evensong.

Extra signs have been installed explaining the new system.

Canon Glyn Webster, acting Dean, said: "Hopefully this marks the beginning of great times in the life of the Minster.

"If you look at it in terms of value for money it's cheap at half the price."

Minster spokesman Brigadier Peter Lyddon said: "We're ready to get on with the charging now - a lot of care and attention has gone into it.

"We hope to increase our income and move on."

Under the charging scheme, under-16s go free, and there is a £3 concessionary rate.

Updated: 12:45 Saturday, August 02, 2003