TRIPPERS heading for the region's tourism capital could soon benefit from a brand new visitor informastion centre.

York currently has three visitor information centres - the main service in the De Grey Rooms, one at the station and a kiosk operation that operates in Coppergate during the summer.

But with around 240,000 people visiting the De Grey Rooms each year, the venue is too small and not as accessible as it could be.

And it is believed that the number of visitors would rise significantly if the service was in a better location.

A feasibility study to find alternative city centre sites was commissioned by the York Tourism Partnership, which has responsibility for the VICs.

Two possible sites have been identified by council officers and tourism industry partners - the former city centre manager's office and public toilets in Parliament Street and the former council offices on the corner of Blake Street, which is the preferred option.

The city's assistant director for economic development, Roger Ranson, said: "Tourism is such a valuable industry for York's economy that anything to improve the service to visitors is welcome.

"Improved visitor information services will also benefit residents who can find out more about their city and will have so much to recommend to their friends and relatives when they visit York."

Councillors will be asked to make a decision later this month.