OFFICIALS at Manchester Cathedral were meeting today to decide whether to take legal action against computer giant Sony over a violent game set in the 800-year-old church.

They have called for an apology and for the game to be withdrawn after interior images of the cathedral were used without permission.

The Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev Rogers Govender also demanded that Sony makes a "substantial" donation to the Church's education department to help its work with young people.

Called 'Resistance: The Fall of Man', the game features a bloodbath involving aliens and has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

Players use a machine gun in a gun battle in which Manchester Cathedral (pictured), is peppered with bullets and blood.

The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, said: "I do not believe they would have done this if it was a mosque or a synagogue. They obviously see us a soft target - but we are not."

Anti-gun campaigners said the game was in `incredibly bad taste.'

A spokesman for the Church of England said a letter was being sent to Sony   today demanding an apology and the withdrawal of the game.

The game was made by American Company, Insomniac, which admitted it had sent 'environmental artists' to Britain to research the cities where the gun battles took place.

Messages of support for the Church's stance have flooded in from across the world.

The Dean, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, said: "I have had emails from America, Canada, Australia and Africa. Most are supporting us, but a few say that it is only a game and we are over reacting."

In the game, players assume the role of an army sergeant, defending the country against an invasion of aliens. Other locations include the Tower of London.

Ted Price, the president of Insomniac, said: "One of our environment artists went over to Great Britain with his camera and researched all the towns that the game takes place in, and that was important because we wanted to get it right."

Sony said it was `aware of the concerns expressed by the Bishop of Manchester and we naturally take the concerns very seriously.'

A spokesman added: "It is entertainment, like Doctor Who."

MP Tony Lloyd, who represents Manchester Central, said: "Sony could have picked a mythical town."

See the computer game in action

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