HOPES of bringing a big wheel to York this summer were today on a knife-edge as the man behind the venture admitted: "Time is running out."

World Tourist Attractions boss Elliott Hall revealed that a crunch internal meeting this afternoon will decide whether the company would press ahead with plans for an observation wheel - or take it instead to Spain or Italy.

An application to site the wheel in Tower Gardens was withdrawn at the 11th hour last month after residents got in a spin about it.

Mr Hall revealed that the firm was now looking at a location near the Moat House hotel, in riverside gardens off North Street.

But he told the Evening Press that he feared objections from a handful of concerned residents at that site might stall the planning process. And this might mean it was not worth coming to York this year.

Mr Hall said: "It's getting very close to the summer.

"We have a wheel in containers in Rotterdam ready to go to York this week, but we are also viewing sites in Spain and Italy.

"It might be best to leave it until next year - but nothing has been decided yet."

York Tourism Bureau boss Gillian Cruddas said she believed the wheel would encourage new visitors to York. "We've already had inquiries about it resulting from the media coverage so far. So long as a suitable site can be found, we're fully behind it."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said public opinion seemed to be split between people thinking it would be good for the city and others thinking it would detract from historic beauty.

"York is a unique city and with that comes a responsibility to balance the needs of the historic environment with those of residents, businesses and tourists," she said, adding that the planning committee aimed to balance these requirements when looking at every application.

Updated: 10:22 Tuesday, April 05, 2005