RESIDENTS in a York suburb want the city council to take over a path and stop it being a regular haunt for drug users.

Helen Douglas, a Clifton ward Labour councillor, is to hand in an 80-name petition to a City of York Council meeting next week to recommend members to adopt Dead Man's Alley - also known as The Croft - in Clifton.

The footpath has been in existence since before 1852, when it appeared on an ordnance survey map in York archives, and was called Dead Man's Alley after a body was found in one of the old crofts.

The path leads from Clifton Green Primary School, and comes out at the Clifton Green shops next to the Birdie's Perch shop, which is in a conservation area.

On Monday night, Coun Douglas attended a meeting of local residents at Clifton parish church to discuss the issues surrounding the path.

Residents agreed the footpath suffers from anti-social behaviour - theft, graffiti, being used as a dog toilet, the dumping of rubbish, and drug-taking.

On the third Saturday of every month, a team from the parish church meets up to tidy the footpath and to pick up litter on the nearby green.

Coun Douglas said: "The path needs regular maintenance, lighting and rubbish needs addressing as does the behaviour of people using it.

"It goes without saying that a more pleasant environment will encourage more users, which will deter antisocial behaviour.

"Residents talked about evidence of old brickwork and timber from old shop frontages that border the lane.

"They want the council to adopt this path and take over the maintenance so that it is no longer a magnet for undesirables and locals can use it in safety.

"The local church group have been leading efforts to keep it tidy, but by rights they shouldn't have to do it, it should be the council's responsibility."

A clean-up team of locals will be at the path on Saturday, and Coun Douglas will also will be there collecting more petition signatures.

Coun Douglas intends to present her petition at a meeting of the full council on January 24.