PLANS by a heritage body to charge people to get into a historic cathedral have been criticised as exploitation.

Historic Scotland, the owner of Glasgow Cathedral, which has long been known as a place of refuge for the wider community as well as the faithful, is to charge visitors to get in for the first in the cathedral's 800-year-history.

It could mean people who live in Glasgow could have to show proof of residency like a driving licence or pay to get in from next year.

The Church of Scotland's local administration - the Kirk Session - is to oppose the £4.50 charge and said the cathedral should not be exploited. Historic Scotland said the funds were needed for its upkeep.

So far it is suggested the congregation and worshippers will be able to get in for free and a residency provision is to be considered.

York Minster and Westminster allow local residents in free with proof of identification.

The plan was criticised yesterday by Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White. She said: "The city has a long tradition of allowing people free entry to public buildings.

"The cathedral is a wonderful building and should be open to everyone.

"It already takes donations and it could publicise this better. I think it is a retrograde step and I don't think people should be charged at all."

Historic Scotland has two other properties which serve as places of worship and a tourist attraction.

Iona Abbey, the historic religious site and home of a famous Christian community on the Inner Hebridean island, charges £7.10 to visitors but worshippers do not pay. The other, Dunblane Cathedral, does not charge and there are no plans to do so but its donation box asks for £2.

A spokesman for the Glasgow Cathedral Kirk Session, which includes elders and senior figures in the parish, said: "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."

The spokesman added: "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.

"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: "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.

"Any income generated from the introduction of a proposed admission charge would be reinvested into the cathedral and the wider historic environment.

"The cathedral would be free of charge to all visitors on Sundays when it opens to the public after the Sunday Service at 1pm.

"We acknowledge that it could present some challenges which is why we have been in discussion with Church of Scotland and other interested parties for some time, and we have invited the Church and other stakeholders to a workshop to try to discuss these issues."

Historic Scotland said talks will be held with the cathedral next month.