MORE York people - from the Archbishop to former citizens living abroad - have spoken of their hopes that the Mystery Plays can be kept alive in 2005.

The Evening Press revelation that the world-famous Plays might not be performed again until at least 2010 has continued to provoke upset and disappointment.

The Archbishop, Dr David Hope, praised the Millennium production in the Minster, saying it had revealed how much "wonderful talent" there was locally.

He said he hoped it would be possible to stage the Plays again before 2010, provided the necessary finance could be found.

Former York residents Brian and Moira Davis, now living in Bahrain, said they would probably have made the effort to return to the city for the Plays had they been staged next year, as would happen under the normal four-year cycle.

"I'm sure the impact on tourism will be negative if the Plays are delayed," said Mr Davis.

"I go to the international travel exhibitions and I am always impressed with the presence York manages to achieve at these things.

"Without the Mystery Plays in their arsenal, the York reps will have a harder job against the competition in getting the tourists they want.

"I simply can't understand why they don't take place every four years, as they always did. They don't have to be any grander than they were 'in the old days'.

"We don't need expensive celebrities. Local talent is easily sufficient. We have plenty! The Museum Gardens are a perfect setting, with St Mary's Abbey."

He suggested that the structure, once set up, could be kept for a while for other uses, such as open air classical concerts, Shakespeare plays or even a pop concert. "Why not?"

Meanwhile, the director of a film production company has also spoken of her disappointment at the city's failure to stage the Plays, revealing that she had been planning to film them.

"It seems that tradition plays second fiddle to technology at the moment," said Beth Wright, of SilverHouse Productions.

"I was particularly interested in the plays this time round because I am one of the directors of a production company specialising in the filming of live events. Of course, the camera crew's presence in the city will have cost a few hotel rooms too, but from our point of view we have lost a potential job."

Updated: 10:44 Wednesday, June 25, 2003