ARMED police officers surrounded York Minster during a traditional Easter service following a threat to the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope.

A man, believed to be from the Harrogate area, was arrested in connection with the incident on Saturday, and later sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Inspector Garry Marchant, of York police, who co-ordinated the operation with the Minster police, said the threat was made over the telephone.

About a dozen officers - some with dogs - scoured the outside of the ancient cathedral while the Archbishop officiated at the Easter vigil confirmation service on Saturday night.

Armed police units were also put on standby outside in case of trouble.

"We had no option, but to take these threats seriously," said Insp Marchant. "We erred on the side of caution and had a high-profile police presence.

"A man was arrested on the charge of making threats and was taken to Fulford Road Police Station for questioning."

The Archbishop's spokesman, Rob Marshall, said it was not the first time Dr Hope had been threatened.

He said: "Anyone who is a member of the House of Lords and is second in command of the Church of England must take threats seriously given the current climate.

"The Archbishop has previously spoken out about the Middle East crisis and Afghanistan and it was along those lines that police took the security threat seriously."

Worshippers attending the Minster service reacted with shock at the news as they filed out to discover the heavy police presence.

Updated: 10:23 Monday, April 01, 2002