FRUSTRATED revellers who think York's nightlife shuts down too early have set up a website to tell the world.

The anonymous campaigners for an improved social scene have set up a website - www.yorkiscrap.org - and they lay the blame for the state of the city's nightlife firmly at the door of City of York Council.

Their main complaint is the lack of late-night dance venues, and say revellers must travel to Hull or Leeds to find clubs where they can stay out after 2am.

But last night, there were mixed views about the claims among young people out on the town.

The hardhitting website says: "All across the country, small independent clubs are providing safe and suitable environments for people of all ages and cultures to come together and enjoy the music they love and, most of all, to dance."

"Not if you live in York. Whose fault is that? City of York Council. They just can't do enough for tourism, but seem to be against the idea of us residents enjoying ourselves."

The site organisers are urging supporters to publicise who they believe is standing in the way of their partying.

The site states: "Who exactly is against us? We want names, photos and information so everybody will be able to instantly recognise these people on the council. Once we know who they are, we can move against them.

"Members of the council are elected to serve the people of York, so if they don't provide what we want, they must be removed from the council.

"If enough people out there help us, then there is no reason why we can't bring York into the 21st century. If you sit back and do nothing, then 2am at Ziggy's will probably be the best you'll get."

But revellers out in the city last night mostly disagreed that York's nightlife is bad.

Hayley Boon, 26, of Poppleton Road, was out with her friends Yvonne, Denise and Lucy, and said she thought York was a good night out. All four girls from York said there was plenty to do at night and said the website was unfair.

Neil Price, 28, out with Kevin Barker and two other friends, said York was a "top" night out and disagreed with the campaigners' claims.

But revellers Barry Foster, 20, of Acomb, and Joe Bowers, 21, of Holgate, agreed with the website's claims. They said they have to leave the city if they want a really good night out that doesn't finish at 2am.

Out with their Leeds friend Tim Darlison, the group said York had little to offer and they would travel to Leeds or Sheffield if they wanted a really good night out.

A council spokeswoman said: "City of York Council is committed to encouraging residents to participate in local government for their city and we welcome involvement in decisions that the council makes on the whole range of services it provides to citizens.

"We welcome a dialogue with anyone who has concerns about opening hours for clubs in York and would encourage them to become involved in decisions that are taken on club licensing - this is an open decision-making process which residents can become involved in.

"The council recently licensed a club in Clifton Moor until 3am and we have yet to receive applications for all-night club opening, which would obviously involve the police in licensing any club."

Updated: 10:05 Saturday, February 10, 2001