York Minster has announced it's closing its school this summer as it experiences a 'catastrophic' loss of income due to the coronavirus.

A lack of visitors means the Cathedral is expecting a shortfall of £5.2 million. 

Current pupils will be given support to find new schools.

Speaking to Premier, Dean of York Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Frost labelled it a "sad day".

He said: "When setting its annual budget, in pre-Covid days, the Chapter of York anticipated an income of £9.4m in 2020. 

"As a direct consequence of closure, and the total loss of visitor income and commercial activity associated with it, Chapter now anticipates a shortfall against budget of up to £5.2m in 2020. 

"The severity of this shock to our system is only compounded by the unlikelihood of visitor numbers returning to 2019 levels in the foreseeable future."

The education of York Minster's choristers will now be overseen by St Peter's School.