A TOURISM boss has warned that people are being put off attending a Royal horse racing meeting in the North this summer because of the prices being charged by hotels.

Gillian Cruddas, the chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, has written to 250 accommodation providers in the city saying that Ascot Racecourse has said many racegoers think the city is too full or too expensive.

The Berkshire racecourse has received calls from many racegoers unable to get the rooms they want in York.

Mrs Cruddas has asked hoteliers to consider guests' expectations and the potential for repeat business and recommendations.

She said: "The intention of our correspondence to tourism bureau members is to update them on ticket sales and to advise them on how best to maximise bookings.

"There is a perception that York is full.

"We need to enlist the support of hotels and guest houses to dispel this.

"Good value accommodation is still available and it is important to get this message out to our visitors."

City council leader Steve Galloway said: "Some people started seeing pound signs in the sky when Ascot was advertised.

"It was hyped up by talk of exorbitant rents for people's homes and some hoteliers, but by no means all, jumped on that particular bandwagon."