Sony has apologised to the Church of England for violent action sequences in a shooting game for the new PlayStation 3 console that take place in Manchester Cathedral.

The cathedral was used by Sony in its 'Resistance: Fall of Man' game without permission from the Church of England.

The Very Rev Rogers Govender, the cathedral's dean, said he had received a letter from Sony.

"It was not our intention to cause offence by using a representation of Manchester Cathedral in chapter eight of the work," the letter said. "If we have done so, we sincerely apologise."

The letter, posted on the Church of England's website, is signed by David A Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

A Sony spokesman confirmed the letter was genuine and said it included the offer of a meeting between Sony representatives and Church officials.

Govender said the cathedral would accept the offer. He thanked Sony for the apology, but underlined the Church's opposition to violence and "especially the gun violence seen in this portrayal of the cathedral".

In addition, he said the Church wanted to discuss its outstanding demands, which include withdrawal of the game and a donation to the Church's education department, which works to fight gun violence in Manchester.

Sony began direct talks with the Church of England Friday after learning of the complaints through media.

"We take the Church's views seriously," Sony Computer Entertainment spokeswoman Nanako Kato said in Tokyo.

British Prime Minister Tony Bair also supported the Church of England's campaign.

"It is important that any of the companies who are engaged in promoting this type of goods have some sense of responsibility and also some sensitivity to the feelings of others," he said. "There is a wider social responsibility as well as simply responsibility
for profit."