I applaud the brave, if not long overdue, decision to charge an entry fee into the Minster for tourists and visitors ('York Minster to charge for entry', April 23).

A donation scheme works in principle, but if people don't feel the need to donate then much-needed funds are lost.

If it is true that millions visit the Minster each year, charging a meagre amount of a £1 would swell the coffers.

We residents pay enough in council tax for our basic services such as street cleaning, street lighting, the police etc, all of which the tourists enjoy but pay no charge towards.

The annual bill of £600,000 has to be met by somebody and let's be brutal on this issue, who is the biggest visitor to the Minster, residents or tourists?

The people who are against the charge are obviously the people who won't pay the donation and expect everything to be free, the very same people that have forced the admission fee in the first place!

PR Willey,

Burnholme Drive,

Heworth, York.

...I am not at all religious, but I am sad-dened by the decision to introduce a compulsory charge for entry to York Minster.

I have gone into the Minster a number of times to simply sit and think things through for a few minutes.

It is one of the few places in York where you can find a peaceful spot, and a very inspiring one at that.

Surely a York Card could entitle free access to this building and ensure that at least residents can still enjoy York''s greatest asset?

Dave Smith,

Frances Street,

York.

...I visit York several times a year and go to the Minster to see the Book Of Remberance and look at the Rose Window.

However, I will not pay to enter the 'House of God'. What would happen if I entered to pray and not pay?

Trevor Audin,

Avonhust Rd,

Islington,

Ontario,

Canada.

Updated: 11:14 Friday, April 25, 2003