CITY-CENTRE buskers have been banned from cashing in on the Tour de France unless specially commissioned to perform.

Letters have been handed to buskers in York saying there will be restrictions in terms of health and safety and crowd management over the Tour weekend on July 5 and 6.

It goes on to say that busking in the city centre will be prohibited unless buskers are otherwise contacted and authorised to perform.

Busker Jonny Walker said the ruling seemed counterproductive to the festival atmosphere the local council, was trying to promote.

He said: “I can understand the thinking behind restricting busking during the race itself on the Sunday morning. It strikes me as both arbitrary and unfair to ban busking on the Saturday as well on one of the best days of the calendar year for the city.”

A council spokesman said: “There is not a ban on busking. Street performers are welcome to play outside the city walls and along the route of the Tour, but what we are doing is forewarning those who regularly use the city centre, that on the weekend/day of the Tour de France safety has to be at the fore.

"We're expecting many thousands of visitors and, with road closures too, safety has to be our priority and we can't risk crowds building at certain locations which might create problems.”

He added: “We are working with York Performers' Association to commission entertainers who we will carefully position around the city centre – including Kings Square – to ensure everyone has a great time – and in safety."