ORGANISERS have defended the Internet “planking” craze which has hit York, saying: “For most people, it’s just a bit of harmless fun.”

The York Planking Association also said it had removed certain pictures from its Facebook site, depicting people carrying out the most dangerous stunts, and it had also decided to regulate pictures and block access to the site to people aged under 18.

A spokesman for the association spoke out after The Press yesterday revealed how the craze, which involves people lying face down in a bizarre range of public places and posting pictures of themselves, had apparently resulted in one person lying down on a railway track and another on top of a railway signal.

Other places hit by plankers included the top of buildings, bridge parapets, the roof of police cars, zebra crossings, road signs and the top of a McDonalds sign.

The spokesman, who declined to be named but said he was aged over 18, said the association had been set up within the last fortnight on Facebook by him and two other people for a “bit of fun”, and they had expected only about 50 friends to get involved.

Instead it had taken off, with almost 4,000 “liking” the page within days, and plankers had had “great fun” recently at York Racecourse.

He said the association did not condone people planking in dangerous locations, and it was not in itself an extreme sport.

But the association could not be responsible for anyone deciding to plank dangerously, as this was simply a decision made by individuals.

“However, we have decided to regulate the site now and remove some of the pictures. We have blocked access to about 800 people under 18, as they might be easily influenced and put themselves in danger.”

Meanwhile, York Minster authorities say they “strongly believe” a picture on the site, apparently showing a planker lying on top of one of the cathedral’s towers, is a fake.

The Very Reverend Keith Jones, the Dean of York, said while it encouraged visitors to explore all safe areas, including daily trips up the Central Tower or special Hidden Minster trips, their health and safety was its main priority, and visitors were escorted by staff and under the watchful eye of Minster Police.