They may be renowned for their architectural majesty, historic significance and - at a push - their niche gift shop offerings.

Yet in recent years the trend for opening up cathedrals to the public by advertising novelty attractions - with everything from an installation of the moon to hosting skate festivals - has sparked furious debate.

Now Norwich Cathedral is the latest religious building to be accused of “treating God like a tourist attraction”, after it installed a 55-ft helter skelter in its nave.

Reverend Canon Andy Bryant, the Cathedral’s Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care, said the idea came to him when he was visiting the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy.

“The fun comes in the shape of a helter skelter,” he said. “The serious comes in creating opportunities for reflective, God-shaped conversations. It is playful in its intent but also profoundly missional.

“It is the Cathedral doing what it has always done – encouraging conversations about God. By its sheer size and grandeur it speaks of the things of God; it points beyond itself. Its sheer presence helps to keep the rumour of God alive and plays its part in passing on the story of Salvation.”