A RARE chance to get a glimpse behind the scenes at one of the most celebrated cathedrals in the land had crowds flocking to York Minster at the weekend.

Nearly 35 different attractions opened their doors to local people for free or at reduced prices as part of the city's Residents First weekend.

And York Minster got into the spirit of the event by opening up the stoneyard, where expert masons have worked for centuries.

The minster's superintendent of works, Steve Mills, said: "We held four tours and all of them were booked up before the day even started.

"It proved so popular that we could easily have done it ten times over."