YORK'S centuries-old city walls are long overdue a proper conservation plan, councillors have been told, and spending time and money drawing up a new one could help them become a World Heritage Site.

The city failed to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 and City of York Council archaeologist John Oxley said earlier this week another bid was "a long way down the line". However, he added that an up-to-date conservation plan would help immensely if the city ever does make another attempt.

Mr Oxley was speaking to the council's learning and culture committee as it decided whether to launch a comprehensive review of the city walls, their maintenance and repair, and the information available to visitors.

He also urged councillors to look at changing who owns the walls and how they are managed to make sure the historic assets are getting the best possible care.

Newly-elected Acomb councillor Keith Myers had requested a scrutiny review on the historic fortifications around York, and things like interpretation boards and lighting that could help the city's tourist industry make more of the iconic structures.

Both Mr Oxley and the council's head of planning, Martin Grainger, told committee members that a new plan would help in bids for grant money - which will be needed for any ambitious plan as the council's own money is only spent on vital repairs or to deal with health and safety concerns.

Mr Grainger told the committee he believed the walls were as important to York's identity as the Minster, and added: "It's difficult to articulate how important the walls are for York, which is why we welcome this interest and the chance to engage in scrutiny."

Drawn up in 2004, the current plan is "long in the tooth", Mr Oxley said, but his department has never had the resources to update it.

Councillors also heard that no one knows exactly how many people walk the walls each year, and the latest estimates draw on a survey that used to be run by Visit York show that as many as 37 percent of tourists plan to visit the walls.

At the end of the meeting on Tuesday, committee members voted to push ahead with a scrutiny review, and will start looking for funding for an updates conservation and interpretation plan.