THE Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, says he has been forced to tighten his purse strings.

The Archbishop is keeping costs down after the publication of the latest annual accounts of the Church Commissioners revealed the Church of England was spending more on its bishops and cathedrals than on priests and hard-pressed parishes.

The Church Commissioners, the body that manages the assets of the church, show total spending on 114 bishops and 43 cathedrals was £21 million - double what it was ten years ago.

But a separate report, commissioned by Dr Hope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, looks at the practical ways in which the senior clergy can tighten its collective belt.

Their review, carried out by Professor Anthony Mellows, of King's College, London, scrutinises everything from bishops' expenses to their stately homes.

The report is described as a ten-year assessment of the resources and needs of Church of England bishops.

Rob Marshall, a spokesman for the Archbishop of York, said the Archbishop is keeping costs down, and is aware of the criticism facing the Church of England and spending.

He said: "The Archbishop is committed to reducing costs where he can. Since he went into office he has placed stringent and careful checks on what is being spent.

"The Archbishop's office has an obvious cost, but the Archbishop has now opened the doors of Bishopthorpe Palace to the public and this has generated money for its upkeep."

The accounts do not directly attack the spending on Bishopthorpe Palace or the Archbishop of York, but highlight £150,000 refurbishment recently spent on the Bishop of Southwark's home and limitless expenses available to bishops.

Mr Marshall added: "The Archbishop is aware of the great pressure on congregations when it comes to giving and as one of the stewards of those resources he is careful and stringent in spending."