PEOPLE in York are to be given the chance to have their say on how the city should tackle dog fouling and anti social behaviour in two parks.

A consultation will be launched in the coming weeks about the problems which are blighting West Bank Park in Holgate and Acomb Green.

City of York's executive member for housing Cllr David Carr took the decision yesterday, amid complaints that both parks were being marred by a minority of people.

At Cllr Carr's decision session yesterday afternoon council worker Paul Morrison said: "One of the things we have seen, particularly from the police, is that there have been some ongoing problems in the summer months with youths hanging around at both locations."

He said they wanted to come up with options to tackle the problem, and see what support there was in the city for putting the proposals in place.

The changes which are being consider include banning people from riding bicycles or motorised bikes through West Bank Park, a ban on drinking alcohol in both parks, ensuring dogs are kept on a lead at West Bank Park and banning under 16s from having a lighter in play areas.

Other options could give the council the power to remove large groups of three or more people causing anti social behaviour.

A report produced for Cllr Carr said that although the council's Public Realm team has tried various initiatives such as anti-vandal paint, and removing things which make it easier for people to climb on top of the buildings, the problems have not gone away.

However some dog walkers have said the rules, if introduced, would unfairly penalise responsible pet owners, destroy the community that have built within West Bank Park, and leave the park virtually empty by driving dog owners and their pets away.

After the consultation, which is likely to be launched in the next fortnight and run for four weeks, officers will bring together another report and bring it back to the executive member for a final decision on how to proceed.