A GROUP of entrepreneurs have unveiled their dream of putting punts on the River Foss in York.

The team behind York City Punting say they want to set up a business which would "make proper use" of York's second river, providing private hire and chauffeured punts, as well as canoes.

If their proposals are backed, the punts would use a stretch of the Foss from its confluence with the Ouse, near Castle Mills Bridge, up to Foss Bank, passing such city landmarks as the York Castle Museum, Clifford's Tower and the Merchant Adventurers' Hall.

The team includes 25-year-old entrepreneur Gordon Bell, of South Bank, who says the Foss is in desperate need of attractions.

"For the last three years, I've been thinking of what could be done to improve the river," he said.

"I've been in business for a few years now, in marketing and manufacturing, and I also row for York City Rowing Club, so this idea combines my interests. I've looked at the Foss Basin so many times and thought, this could be something like the Ouse near the King's Arms, something really good."

Gordon said he had received encouraging signals from the Environment Agency and British Waterways, and had also contacted many local businesses to ask for their support.

"Ideally, this would be a real local business, with boats built here and with local companies sponsoring each boat," he said.

"And it could have benefits for everyone. We could have guided tours, and 'punt and dine' sessions, where the punts can stop off for a meal at a pub."

He said he proposed to introduce a charge of £8 an hour for private hire, or £8 per person for the hire of a chauffeured punt with guide. A separate rate would be arranged for families wishing to hire canoes, although many of the details of the project remain under wraps.

The plans would also be affected by two major developments planned for the banks of the Foss, Coppergate Riverside and the Hungate site. But Gordon said he was confident the plans would fit around those schemes.

"I have had some contact with the developers, and I believe we would be able to make it work.

"What we really need to think about it a licence, a landing, and a clean-up of the river."

Punts, which are long, shallow boats propelled by means of a hand-held pole, have been popular in the cities of Cambridge and Oxford for centuries.

The team have drawn up a list of three potential sites for landing stages for the punts, the first at Castle Mill, the second at the Coppergate Centre, the third on the Hungate site.

They hope to set up the business in time for a launch in Easter next year, and will submit a formal planning application in the coming months.

- Gordon would like to hear from any businesses interested in supporting his venture, who can email him at contactgordon@hotmail.com

More details of the scheme are available on York City Punting's new website, www.puntinginyork.com

Updated: 11:35 Friday, September 20, 2002