A bridge costing more than £3m may be built across the river Ouse in the centre of York.

The footbridge would link the Guildhall and North Street Gardens and would cut the number of pedestrians using the narrow footways on other city centre bridges.

A feasibility study has been carried out for the City of York Council by consultants who said the bridge would be lightweight and visually striking.

Five metres wide, it would be made of low-maintenance vandal-resistant materials and help increase pedestrian movements across the river.

Options include a cantilever bridge costing £3.3m or a £3.787m steel arch construction.

Cyclists would not be allowed to use the bridge as it would lead to Coney Street, which is within the city's pedestrianised zone.

It is thought the bridge could be a step back in history, as it is believed there was a footbridge at this location in Roman times.

Project manager Michael Tavener said: "The bridge will provide a safe, exclusively-pedestrian link to and from the heart of the city for both tourists and city workers alike."

A local company, YorkBoat, has raised concerns the bridge might be a magnet for vandals and that objects may be thrown into the river.

It has asked for security cameras and lighting on the footbridge.

A report recommending the proposed bridge will be considered by an advisory panel next week.

If the plans are approved by councillors, the design of the bridge is likely to be the subject of a design competition, similar to the one held for the city's Millennium Bridge.