BROADCASTER Channel 4 could find a new home in North Yorkshire, if a new campaign proves successful.

The Government recently asked for views on whether the publicly-owned broadcaster should move all or part of its operations out of London.

York city council leader Councillor David Carr has confirmed the authority is pushing hard for the area known as York Central - a 72-hectare brownfield site behind the station - to be chosen as its location.

The has been backed by both the city's universities, he said, as well as Make it York and the regional business body the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.

Cllr Carr described the site as an “ideal” location. “It’s sustainable, it’s brownfield, and it’s located right next to the East Coast Mainline - it really fits the bill,” he said.

This week he will put forward a motion to all 47 city councillors, asking them to back the city’s bid and agree the council should work to bring Channel 4 to Yorkshire.

York is also part of the Leeds City Region LEP, which has joined up with Screen Yorkshire to put in its own bid for Channel 4 to come to the region. Cllr Carr said York council was pushing for York Central to be chosen, but was also backing the wider regional bid.

“We would like it to come to York, but failing that to the Leeds City Region, because we think there would be beneficial spin offs from that,” he said.

The consultation responses were submitted within the last two weeks and the authority is now waiting for Government responses.

Other cities reportedly bidding for the relocation - including Birmingham, Liverpool and Sheffield.