A cathedral's governing body has criticised plans to charge people entry to the historic place of worship as "totally unreasonable".

Concerns have been raised that visitors to Glasgow Cathedral could be charged up to £5 under a proposal by Historic Scotland, which owns the building.

The agency says only visitors and not worshippers would be charged under plans that, if agreed, could be introduced next April.

But the Church of Scotland Kirk Session at the cathedral has spoken out against the move and a petition of more than 600 signatures has also been compiled in protest.

A Kirk Session spokesman said: "For more than 800 years, Glasgow's St Mungo's Cathedral has been serving its parish, city and country, and has been freely open to all who wish to enter.

"The reason for such a move has been stated to be due to financial pressures on Historic Scotland and the need to make 'its properties' pay.

"The stated position of the Kirk Session of Glasgow Cathedral is that the church should be free to all who feel a need and desire to visit within its walls for any reason.

"Glasgow Cathedral is a living church with a vibrant congregation and a mission as the 'Mother Church of Glasgow' not simply a monument to the past to be exploited as a source of revenue.

"Each day there are numerous people who use the Cathedral as a refuge and find the quiet opportunity for prayer and reflection of great benefit.

"For example, one can always find people, such as patients, relatives, friends and staff from the Royal Infirmary, which is located adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral, in quiet corners of the building, like the Nurses' Chapel.

"Each week the Clergy receive and respond to hundreds of 'prayer requests' left in the Prayer Chapel.

"The Kirk Session feels that, to charge a four or five pound admission fee to people with such a need is totally unreasonable."

A spokesman for Historic Scotland said: "We are investigating the possibility of charging for admission for visitors to Glasgow Cathedral.

"In line with many other cathedrals which perform a dual function as both a place of worship and a visitor attraction, any admission charge introduced would apply to visitors only and would not affect worshippers with any income generated from the introduction of a proposed admission charge reinvested into the Cathedral and the wider historic environment

"Discussions with the Church of Scotland and other interested parties are ongoing."