A TOURIST has criticised York Minster's "high pressure" methods to encourage visitors to make donations.

Colin Burrows, from Widnes, Cheshire, contacted the Minster and also the Evening Press to complain about the cathedral's new system suggesting donations which visitors might make.

He said the main reason he had come to York last weekend was to see the Minster, but when he got there he was filled with dismay.

"All the websites and literature I have seen emphasise the fact that entry to the Minster is free," he said.

"When I arrived, however, I found that this was far from the truth. Outside I saw a sign stating the 'suggested donations' which I thought were reasonable, as I appreciate such a large and splendid building must cost vast amounts of money to run and maintain.

"Upon entering the building, however, I was appalled to see ... a counter with a till. How can you say the amounts stated are voluntary or a donation when such high pressure methods are used to collect the money?"

Mr Burrows claimed he had travelled extensively throughout Britain and Europe and had never come across such a "distasteful" method of collecting donations. "I wouldn't expect this from a museum, but from a cathedral - I believe this is atrocious.

"How might people feel who visit your cathedral but cannot afford the amount you suggest? Do they deserve to feel ashamed or belittled if they want to enter? Are only affluent people entitled to see this cathedral, ie this supposed house of God?"

A Minster spokesman said today that he had replied personally to Mr Burrows. He said the Minster had received very few such complaints since the introduction of the new system, with visitors generally giving a donation and enjoying their visit.

Updated: 10:07 Saturday, September 21, 2002