YORK businesses which fail to remove graffiti eyesores on their property could be billed for cleaning costs by the council.

Owners of phone kiosks, bus shelters, cable boxes, businesses and even schools may be hit in the pocket if they repeatedly refuse to co-operate.

City councillors will discuss Government plans to allow the authority to serve graffiti removal notices on owners of street furniture and landowners whose property is defaced.

If the 28-day notices are snubbed, the council can move in, clean up the scrawl - then charge the unhelpful company a "reasonable" cost.

Liberal Democrat executive environment member, Coun Andrew Waller, welcomed the proposed new powers, which bolster the council's flagship York Pride campaign. But he stressed they would only be used as a "last resort".

"It is frustrating for businesses that play an active part in York Business Pride to see others letting the side down by leaving graffiti untouched," he said.

"It also means in extreme cases we can tidy up an area and charge the owner, rather than have the council taxpayer pick up the tab."

The graffiti crackdown - already successfully piloted - is part of a fresh three-pronged attack by the Guildhall on anti-social behaviour.

Proposals to curb under-age sales of solvents, fireworks and tobacco and restrict bogus doorstep sellers will also be discussed at an environment meeting on Wednesday.

Councillors believe if the anti-graffiti plans are passed, companies that might be hardest hit because of the volume of street property they own - like Royal Mail and British Telecom - would be forced to use more graffiti-busting paint.

At the moment, the authority relies on the goodwill of companies to remove graffiti. Councillors stressed they would not use any new powers in a confrontational way, looking to build partnerships with graffiti-hit firms.

But Lib Dems called for money from fines to be used to tackle future hotspots.

Labour environment spokesman, Coun David Horton, hit out at Lib Dems "complaints" about the potential costs of enforcing the Government's graffiti clampdown.

He said: "It's about time they stopped their persistent whinging on every piece of legislation which seeks to assist councils in tackling ant-social behaviour."

Meanwhile, York shopkeepers have been warned over underage sales of solvents, fireworks and tobacco. Recent secret test purchases carried out by the council have shown solvent and firework problems rising.

Coun Waller, calling for harsher alcohol-style sale controls, said: "Shopkeepers must tighten up their act."

Councillors will also discuss strengthening the enforcement policy on doorstep traders targeting vulnerable residents. Under new laws, failure to produce details of business ownership or of a customer's cancellation notice would lead to prosecution for first offenders.

Updated: 10:09 Monday, December 06, 2004