Authors of a new report on Lincoln Cathedral were so impressed with their findings that they say the traditional 'big six' English cathedrals should now be a 'big seven'.

The report – the first  to concentrate on the secular impact of the cathedral and factors like jobs, money and tourism – reveals that it generates 650 jobs.

It also shows that the minster attracts a far higher proportion of more lucrative overnight visitors than many other cathedrals in the country.

The experts say these factors justify bracketing it alongside the 'big six' cathedrals of York, Canterbury, Durham, St Paul's, Winchester and Salisbury.

The report was commissioned by the cathedral and was carried out by Globe Regeneration.

Globe managing director Ivan Annibal said: "It is very significant to discover that the cathedral generates seven per cent of all the heritage sector jobs in the East Midlands.

"There is also a much higher overnight visitor element than we envisaged at 79 per cent.

"All in all, the cathedral has such an iconic and economic significance that it should definitely be considered alongside York, Canterbury and the others."

 Dean of Lincoln the Very Reverend Philip Buckler said the report was commissioned to show what the cathedral gave back economically and socially, as well as spiritually.

For more on the cathedral report, plus reaction to it, see Wednesday's Echo