CITY of York Council has offered the friends of teenager Ruby Milnes a place where they can create a lasting tribute to her.

The 17-year-old was killed as she cycled along the Sustrans cycle path between York and Selby earlier this month.

Earlier this week, Vicki Dawson, 17, of Holgate, who knew Ruby from York College, issued a plea in The Press to landowners, asking for a spot where her friends could create a lasting memorial.

She said: "What we want is hopefully to get permission to paint a mural on a wall somewhere in York. We don't want it to be graffiti-style, we want it to be a mural."

Within days of her plea, Liz Topi, events and festivals officer at City of York Council, came forward with a spot close to where the Bishophill teenager was killed.

She has suggested the girls - between 15 and 20 of Ruby's friends - use the council-owned football changing rooms at the end of the York Racecourse complex, close to the Sustrans cycle path.

"I spend a lot of time down there because of the events we have at Knavesmire," she said. "I heard about the tragedy and I liked what the girls wanted to do.

"I immediately thought of the changing rooms. The outside walls overlook some of the most beautiful open spaces in York, and it's near to where the accident happened.

"I asked my boss if he had any objections and he said no, go for it."

The building has been in disuse but will soon be taken over by St Clements Football Club, who will use it as a hub for youth teams.

Liz said the girls could use any or all of the building's four walls. "They can use whatever they want to use," she said. "It'll be very visible for people going to the races. The coach park is next to it. Now it's a matter of us getting together with the girls. Any help I can give them, I will."

North Yorkshire Police are still appealing for witnesses to the incident.