THE Sheriff of York had better watch out - a band of merry men are planning to visit the city in honour of world-famous outlaw Robin Hood.

The International Association for Robin Hood Studies is preparing for its fourth annual conference and has chosen to set up camp in York.

The conference will see more than 50 fans of Britain's most famous outlaw spend three days at the University of York, discussing Robin Hood history and looking at his links with Yorkshire.

Conference organiser Helen Phillips said: "There were a number of reasons we chose York. The earliest Robin Hood ballads associate him with Yorkshire as much as they do with Sherwood Forest and Nottingham."

Early Yorkshire links for Robin Hood include a 15th century ballad which sees him fighting with an evil abbot at St Mary's Abbey, the ruins of which still stand in the Museum Gardens.

There is also a strong link with Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, which legend states was a popular hangout for famous Hood friend and ally Friar Tuck.

The name of east coast town Robin Hood's Bay, near Whitby, is said to have been first recorded in 1532 after the popular ballads of the 1400s.

Helen added: "We aren't intending to set off any more rivalry between Nottingham and York for the ownership of the Prince of Thieves but it will probably bubble along in friendly fashion during the conference."

While Robin Hood is well known for his battles with the Sheriff of Nottingham, the Sheriff of York, Keith Orrell, said he has no fears about the conference.

"I am looking forward to the event and meeting the people involved," he said.

The conference takes place from July 7 to 10 and costs £40 (£20 concs). To register contact Stephen Knight on 029280874505.

Updated: 10:04 Saturday, May 31, 2003