I SPENT last week in York, staying in a guest house off Gillygate, as I have done many times over the past ten years.

I have always sung York's praises for being a quiet, friendly, safe place.

However, while I would still hold this view, this year I detected signs that even York is beginning to suffer from late-night rowdy behaviour.

On three consecutive nights, I was woken in the early hours by shouting, screaming and singing. The Wednesday evening was the worst, being woken at 1.20am, 2am, 2.20am, 2.40am and 3am.

I live in Bath which, over the past two years, has seen student numbers rise to nearly a quarter of the local population. With this has come regular late-night noise and disruption, unfortunately predominantly from students from the local teacher-training college, which has now been granted university status.

While not all ills can be blamed on students, in Bath these issues are virtually non-existent in the summer months when students return home.

I urge York residents to resist such changes to your city. York is very similar to Bath in many ways and, therefore, has the same restrictions or problems.

Bath has been ruined by the huge influx of young individuals who care for no one other than themselves. The city centre has become a no-go area in the evening.

I would not, hand on heart, recommend anyone to visit Bath these days and I have always taken pride in my home city.

Do not believe those in power when they say everything will be all right. It won't, and it will change your lives for ever.

Miss A Phillips,

Coronation Avenue,

Bath.

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, December 06, 2005