Birmingham Cathedral has re-opened its doors this morning after shutting them yesterday in response to the national terror threat level being increased to criti

The acting Dean of the Cathedral, Canon Nigel Hand, told Premier's News Hour yesterday that the church's policy is to shut and reassess during heightened security situations.

He said: "The decision up to now has been with a heavy heart, I don't think it's anything that most of us want to do but if you have a policy you need to adhere to that policy."

The Rev said The Cathedral, known as St Philip's, on Colmore Row, had put a policy in place "with advice from counter-terrorism".

Some services took place publicly in Cathedral Square while the building was closed. And a prayer station was set up in the Church's surrounding square.

Meanwhile, the BBC reports that the York Minster has said it had increased security measures following the terror attack with extra high visibility patrols by its cathedral constables around the cathedral and its precinct.

Random bag searches have also been introduced at its visitor entrances, while large bags and suitcases are no longer allowed inside the cathedral at all.