FOUR fifths of people in a Press poll have said they are reluctant to visit York on Saturdays, amid concerns that large unruly groups are turning it into a "no go area".

As revealed on Saturday, York licencees have been called to crisis talks tomorrow, to discuss ways of tackling antisocial behaviour in the city-centre.

We asked readers of Saturday's article: "Are you reluctant to visit York city-centre on Saturday's?" and 80 per cent said yes. In total, 600 different people voted, with 478 saying yes and 122 saying no.

City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police have sent a joint letter to licensees at pubs, bars, clubs and off-licences. They said York was "no longer seen as a safe family-friendly city on a Saturday". They said visitors from South Yorkshire and the North East and stag and hen parties were particular issues.

Some landlords have said there should be a larger police presence on the streets, but revelers on stag and hen parties at the weekend hit back at the criticism.

Martha Knowles, 26, from Stockport, was on her sister's hen do as part of a group of 18 on Saturday.

She said they intended to do a treasure hunt around the city, take part in a dance class, then go to Popworld, in Micklegate.

"I can understand what people are saying about groups like us," she said.

"It's like the 'Brits Abroad' tag given to everyone who goes on holiday, but we aren't like that.

"York is a popular place to come for a hen do, but some people spoil it for everyone else."

Andrea Smith was part of a group of eight women in a hen party on Saturday and claimed they did not intend to drink heavily in the city centre.

She added: "We are civilised. We are going to Revolution for a cocktail-making class and had a spa treatment earlier.

"Every group is different and sometimes people don't even have a drink.

"Everyone who comes away is there for a laugh and they are celebrating before they get a ball and chain!"

As reported by The Press on Saturday, police and City of York Council claim anti-social behaviour has become a major issue and they have written a letter to all city centre licence-holders claiming York is no longer family friendly.

But grandfather Robert Alderson, from County Durham, who was in York with his wife and granddaughter, disagrees.

He said: "It's a nice atmosphere in the city.

"The stag and hen parties are a bit rough and loud but they have got to go somewhere.

"We haven't seen any problems with them and they aren't intimidating."

However, Graeme Bridge, 50, from Fulford, was in the city with with his wife and daughter, and said he was reluctant to come into York after 5pm in case they ran into groups of drunks.

"During the day they are alright as long as they stay in control," he said.

"We don't come into York very often, so I'm not used to it, but I definitely wouldn't come in later in the afternoon.

"From about 5pm onwards I would avoid the city because of all the drunks in the afternoon, not just stag and hen parties."

One trader in Micklegate, who declined to be named, said she felt the stag and hen parties were "an invasion" at the weekend.

She added: "They can put people off and it's not a pleasant experience for shoppers.

"If you want to go out for a quiet evening on a Saturday you don't stand a chance.

"It feels like an invasion from somewhere else but luckily the business isn't bothered by it because we close early."