THE Archbishop of York lives a "frugal" life and does not entertain lavishly, a spokesman said today.

A report by the Church of England's Archbishops Review Group out today suggests the grand appearance of some bishop's residences - Dr David Hope lives at Bishopthorpe Palace - runs contrary to the need for bishops to bear witness to a modest Christian lifestyle.

"Some houses may give rise to understandable, but unjustified, assumptions about the lifestyle of the bishop and his family," the report, Resourcing Bishops, says.

But Rob Marshall, a spokesman for Dr Hope, who has "commended" the report, denied today he lived lavishly.

"Dr Hope lives extremely frugally and entertains within reason," he said.

Updated: 14:38 Friday, June 08, 2001