KEEPING York's historic streets in perfect condition involved council chiefs in taking some unusual steps.

City of York highways workers were carefully lifting historic York stone flags and kerbstones from outside the old probate sub-registry offices, in Duncombe Place, and replacing them with black bitmac.

The action was part of an attempt to protect the original stones flags from damage during the redevelopment of the old building.

Peter Evely, the council's head of highways and network management, said: "The through-traffic of builders, skips and rubble to the old probate offices will be considerable and will last for a period of 20 weeks.

"The York stone flags add significantly to the character of the area and we have decided to keep them in storage until the work is complete so they are not damaged."

The council has pledged to replace the flags as soon as the work to convert the probate building, from offices into four residential properties, is complete.

Part of a taxi rank is also closed.

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, July 23, 2003