A LEADING adviser to the Archbishop of York has promised to speak strongly against the closure of the Minster's historic library.

Frank Harris, of Derwent Deanery, said he would oppose the plans, revealed in the Evening Press last week, at the next meeting of the Archbishop's council, of which he is a member.

Although the council's views are not binding on the Minster, he said no Dean had ever stood against the Archbishop's opinion before.

News of Mr Harris' opposition to the library closure came as it emerged there would be a small number of redundancies elsewhere at the cash-strapped Minster.

No details have been officially revealed, but it is understood those affected will include stonemasons, gardeners, and painters. Some people are already believed to have accepted voluntary redundancies.

The Minster's Dean and Chapter confirmed it intended to close the library in August, although the archives which are housed in the same Dean Park building would remain.

It follows plans to introduce compulsory charging for entrance to the Minster which have been proposed as a way to help work through financial problems that the Dean and Chapter faces. Mr Harris spoke against them at a meeting of the Synod of the Diocese of York earlier this month.

"Everybody is extremely disturbed about the closure of the library," he said.

"So many historic documents and clergy records which are unique would be lost. It is very important to all sorts of people and it is a regrettable step to take.

"I will certainly be speaking out against it at the next meeting of council on June 12."

Minster chiefs today confirmed redundancies were also being made, although they refused to say how many or which departments would be affected.

Chapter Clerk Brigadier Peter Lyddon said: "There have been redundancies made, but it would not be fair on staff to go into detail." Mr Harris said: "It is true that economies have got to be made, and it may be necessary that there will be a loss of some staff, but I hope that is not through compulsory redundancies.

"People's lives are involved here so we have to be very sensitive."

Opponents to the library's closure are planning to stage a protest "read-in" at Minster Court on Friday.

They will meet at Exhibition Square at 2.45pm before walking to the court.

Updated: 10:41 Thursday, May 29, 2003