The Archbishop of York has been invited to an unprecedented meeting with York Minster officials following revelations that he might use historic powers to block the closure of the cathedral's library.

Dr David Hope is known to be extremely concerned about the furore following news that the centuries-old library is to shut to save cash, and also about the planned introduction of admission charges to the Minster.

He is also worried about strained relations between the York diocese and the Minster.

The Archbishop has been considering exercising 1,400-year-old powers, known as Visitatorial Rights, which would enable him to enter York Minster accompanied by a High Court Judge and financial adviser to stop the changes.

The Archbishop would visit the Minster in full Episcopal regalia, complete with purple cassock, mitre and crozier, enabling him to set up an independent investigation in to the management of the Gothic cathedral and issue a report instructing the Dean how to manage the Minster's accounts.

A spokesman for Dr Hope said today that the Acting Dean, Canon Glyn Webster, and the Chapter, had now invited the Archbishop to an informal meeting in the next two or three weeks, at which all the financial, pastoral and organisational issues could be discussed.

The spokesman said the Archbishop wanted a solution to the issues before almost 30 priests and deacons are ordained at the Minster later this month.

Minster Canon Theologian Jonathan Draper said last week that the library would be closing to borrowers.

Earlier this year, former Dean Dr Raymond Furnell announced the introduction of compulsory entry charges of £3.50 per adult in an effort to reduce the Minster's £600,000 annual deficit.

Canon Draper said the lending library would be closed to make savings, but the conservation studio and archives would remain open.

Updated: 10:48 Monday, June 02, 2003