THE DOOMED York Story could become a short term stand-in for the world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre.

St Mary's Church, which housed the museum in Castlegate until it was closed as part of City of York Council budget cuts earlier this year, could replace the Jorvik Centre when it closes for a major refit in the winter.

Sandra Bicknell, the council's head of the museums service, said: "It has been suggested that the York Archaeological Trust develop a temporary exhibition to give visitors a taste of the new Jorvik and a reminder of the present Jorvik ... to minimise the disappointment of visitors who were unaware of the closure."

The Trust, which runs Jorvik, has created one of York's most popular tourist attractions. It is hoped that, by replacing it with an exhibition in St Mary's Church, loss of tourism caused by its closure would be minimised.

Alan Jones, the council's executive member for leisure services, will be meeting officers tomorrow to discuss the proposals.

If accepted, the de-consecrated church, which has been owned by the authority since 1976, would host the exhibition from October until March next year.

Income should ensure the council can maintain the building for leisure use for the rest of the year.

The council has drawn up plans for longer term use of the building, and propose that it continues the York Story's role as an introduction to the city and its heritage.

Ms Bicknell said: "This need was key to the original development of St Mary's Church as a heritage centre, but the appeal was limited and dated and there were growing problems.

"However, St Mary's is a prime site. Its location, its nature and its possible future uses all add to the imperative to develop it in an appropriate way for the benefit not just of the museums service, but for York's heritage sector as a whole."

The project would cost several million pounds and would not become reality for many months, said Ms Bicknell.

It would be financed by partnership with private companies.