Efforts to deal with a "problem" York building have received a boost from council chiefs.

A piece of detective work by staff from City of York Council's community services department has resulted in the owner of the building - the old Swan Hotel, Piccadilly - being tracked down to London.

Officials are now seeking a meeting to press the case for the building to be converted to affordable city centre homes.

The building was one of those highlighted in the Horrible Eyesores Of York competition in the Evening Press Turpin Rides Again column in June.

But council officials have been hampered in their efforts to deal with the problem by a lack of information as to the whereabouts of the owners.

Now council housing development co-ordinator Neil Terrett has contacted the owners in London.

He said: "The property belongs to the Graham Family Settled Estates Ltd in London and I have now written to them asking them for their proposals as to the future use of the building.

"In York we are keen to regenerate the city centre and provide affordable homes by re-developing existing sites, and we believe there is potential here for some kind of affordable homes development.

"We are also mindful of the fact that city residents believe the property is an eyesore and that something needs to be done. The ball is now in the owners' court, but at least we have managed to make contact and we have made them aware of both their responsibilities and the council's power to act."