IT is already treasured by millions of tourists as one of the most historic cities in the world.

Now York could be set for official recognition, by becoming a World Heritage Site.

A special working group has investigated whether the city should pursue the accolade, and the idea has been backed by tourism bosses.

But councillor leader Steve Galloway said there was still much to discuss, and warned any final decision was a long way off.

The idea was mooted in the 1990s, but faded away. The latest review was instigated by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Janet Hopton, who set up a working group.

The group included Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, who said: "York has all the ingredients necessary to be successful, and World Heritage status would raise the city's profile substantially, as this is an internationally recognised accreditation.

"It would help us to preserve the heritage of the city through sustainable tourism policies. For visitors, World Heritage status is a mark of quality and outstanding cultural and natural heritage, and at a time when tourism trends indicate an increasing demand for travel associated with culture and heritage, the potential benefits for York are huge."

The working group report said of York: "No other place on Earth combines the same series of functions over so long a period; such continuity of occupation and activity, all in such a relatively small area, such excellent above and below ground preservation, and such complete documentation."

The working group considered a report from City of Edinburgh Council on the pros and cons.

Edinburgh has been a World Heritage site since 1995 and has enjoyed great economic and tourist success since. Edinburgh's report concluded: "There are considerable benefits of World Heritage status.

"The hallmark of an environment of international quality provides a positive setting for the economic well-being of the city."

The working group said: "These comments from a well-established UK World Heritage site with similar economic development aspirations to those of York demonstrate that the disadvantages noted in the matrix should not be given too much weight."

The council executive will consider the matter next week, and are set to call for further consultation, and to suggest waiting for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to publish an assessment of the costs and benefits of status, before revisiting the topic.

But Coun Hopton said: "We do feel we want to go for option B, which is following our recommendation to get started with applying.

"There's no reason we cannot carry on, and incorporate all suggestions later on."

Coun Galloway said: "It's early days. We are just exploring the concept at the present time.

"We are interested in what the advantages may be, but obviously there may be some disadvantages."

There are currently 25 sites on the UK's "tentative list" from which recommendation to Unesco can be made. The DCMS is shortly to review that list.

  • There are two World Heritage Sites in Yorkshire - Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate, near Ripon, and Saltaire, near Bradford - a preserved model village built for industrial workers in the 19th century.