York Minster was evacuated and sealed off by police this morning.
However the cordon was lifted and the cathedral reopened shortly before 9am.
The action was taken after a member of the public reported suspicious activity outside the Minster.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “North Yorkshire Police received a report of suspicious activity outside York Minster at 7.40am this morning.
“A member of the public reported seeing a suspicious object being placed in a refuse bin.
“As a precaution, a cordon was put in place on Minster Yard and College Street.
“Enquiries made at the scene deemed the object not to be suspicious. The cordon was lifted at 8.45am.”
Earlier police vans were parked at both sides of the piazza which was sealed off by tape.
Two rubbish bins had been opened close to the South Transept.
The spokesperson added: “Officers would like to thank the member of public who made the report.
“If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious, trust your instincts and report it.”
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