OVERNIGHT visitors to York could be asked to pay a £1 a night 'tourist levy' under plans put forward by the city's Labour group.

The group has formulated plans for the voluntary levy which would be added to visitors’ hotel bills at the end of their stay.

The money raised would be spent on tackling anti-social behaviour and cleaning up the city centre.

Cllr Stuart Barnes, deputy leader of York Labour group, said: “We completely understand that tourism is critical to York’s economy and generates jobs.

“But there’s also another side, in terms of the impact on the city.

"At the moment residents are picking up the cost of that impact.

“When we speak with residents, it’s an issue that comes up a lot, many don’t feel the city centre is focused on local people.”

He said the fee would be voluntary because national legislation would be needed to impose a tax.

He added that there would be incentives for hotels to take part in the scheme and it could fund schemes such as extra street rangers to police rowdy stag and hen parties

But the York Conservative group said it had already looked at the possibility of introducing a tourist tax and discovered that, although it may be a popular measure amongst residents, councils do not have the authority to impose a levy.