EVERY primary school pupil in York will receive dental care courtesy of a new council service, if the Conservatives win control of the city next month.

The proposal is only one of the headline policies in their manifesto for the City of York Council election on May 3.

The Tories launched their campaign at the Royal York Hotel yesterday, backed by national party leader David Cameron.

The Conservatives do not currently have any seats on the council, but local leader John Galvin said they were aiming to win control.

He said: "I think we are offering the residents of York some alternatives and some innovative ideas, which we hope will resonate, and yes, we would hope to take control of the council."

On their dental proposal, Mr Galvin said: "We all know that dental services are virtually disappearing from the NHS, and there concern about the lack of dental service for children and certainly primary school children.

"We are looking to set up - and it has been costed - a dental service for primary children, either buying services in, or setting up a council dental service.

"We are determined to be able to offer primary school children some kind of dental care that's not available at the moment."

At yesterday's launch, Mr Cameron chatted with candidates about local issues and their election hopes.

He told The Press: "One of the big issues is council tax. People have seen huge increases over the past decade, and do not feel they have seen the local services to match that."

Other proposals by the Conservatives include pressing the Government to fund making the A1237 northern ring road a dual carriageway; and liaising with schools and the armed services to enable York residents to use their sporting facilities.

On the A1237, Mr Galvin said: "We do not believe that the Liberal Democrats are really entering into serious dialogue with the Government on the ring road, and we need to put pressure on, because it cannot be allowed to go on."

On sports facilities, he said: "Whatever else the Lib Dems have done, they have cost this city a county-standard swimming pool. We are taking recreation and leisure pretty seriously, and we have got to look at all the facilities in the city."

Other policies include abolishing evening parking charges; opposing congestion charging; promoting pub-watch measures to tackle drink-related crime; providing more safe cycle lanes and paths; giving residents and councillors more say in planning decisions; amend Community Support Officer contracts so they are on duty beyond 10pm; and more liaison with police to enable them to take direct action against anti-social behaviour.