LET the people of Old York stretch out their hands to the people of New York.

A plea for greater links between the two cities is likely to bring more power to the elbow of negotiators who have been persuading airlines to operate direct flights between Leeds Bradford International Airport and The Big Apple.

In only three weeks 1,500 people in Yorkshire have called for the direct link by registering their vote on the internet.

The evidence of demand will eventually be used to prove the viability of a regular Yorkshire to New York flight to an unnamed airline with which talks have begun.

Sally Ramsey, marketing and business development manager for Leeds Bradford Airport, believes that York people can have a big part to play in her hopes to bring the US closer by 2006.

"The wonderful city of York, with its world famous charms, attracts more than four million visitors a year and is an extremely sellable destination overseas. I'm sure the people of 'New York' would love nothing more than to visit 'Old York' during their stay in Yorkshire.

"We know there is a huge demand for direct links to the US from within our catchment area. Last year saw more than half-a-million people flying from the Yorkshire region with more than 100,000 of those passengers flying to New York."

Now Andrew Lindsay, president of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, has also called on the business people in the region to cast their votes in favour of the idea.

Mr Lindsay, who has visited the chambers of commerce both in New York and Chicago, said: "The city of York is well known to both cities.

"Old York may be a lot smaller than New York, but they are very aware of their heritage and the opportunities we offer. Our brand is well known and we need to capitalise on that."

There were obvious benefits if York could be regarded as a destination in its own right, rather than as part of the "Heritage Trail" where, he said, US tourists tended to note: "We're in York. It must be Monday."

But there were also huge advantages for York's business community, said Mr Lindsey.

"More than ever York is becoming the home of businesses with genuine international markets and anything that can whittle what is effectively a day's travel to Heathrow or Gatwick, down to a couple of hours must be welcomed. Time is money," he said.

To register your views and help the airport assess the real demand for this service, visit the business channel of this Evening Press website.

Updated: 11:11 Monday, November 15, 2004