YORK Minster is planning a major overhaul of signage to help tourists and visitors find their way around the cathedral.

The church's ruling body wants to introduce new signs and maps to the area around the Minster, with a coordinated design that will make it more accessible without damaging the historic area.

A planning application submitted to City of York Council shows plans for three new totem signs, poster signs and a map tables at several points around cathedral, to help the 500,000 visitors who visit the Minster every year.

Under the new plans, there will be fewer signs but they will have a clear single design, will not be attached to the historic building, and will be better placed for wheelchair users, which Minster staff say will be a vast improvement on the current arrangements.

A design and access statement says: "In looking to communicate this information to visitors, the signage around the Minster has sporadically evolved, resulting in various styles, designs and quality.

“A clear design strategy has not been adopted, which resulted in several styles and mixed and confusing messages.”

The new signs and map table will be made from brushed brass, the documents show, with changeable graphics panels in places.