A DISABLED rights campaigner is calling on the York Tourism Awards to seriously consider whether the hopeful contenders are welcoming people of all abilities.

James Porteous, who was awarded an MBE in 2001 for services to the community and disabled people, is adamant that award winners should be accessible to everyone.

The 58-year-old, who has used a wheelchair since the age of six, is speaking up for other disabled people as judges prepare to announce the winners of the York Tourism Bureau-run awards in November.

The event celebrates the cream of the city's tourism industry, recognising quality accommodation, shops, attractions, eateries, conference venues, websites, marketing campaigns and festival/entertainment.

Mr Porteus said: "I am big and ugly enough to fight my own corner, but there are a considerable number of people who feel discriminated against but take it on the nose. Disabled access is equally as important as how beautiful the reception is and how welcoming the staff are."

Under the new Disability and Discrimination Act, all businesses offering services to the public are required to make reasonable changes to physical barriers that prevent disabled people accessing them.

Mr Porteous acknowledged that many hotels in York have made "significant steps forward", citing The Hilton in Tower Street as "very good, because it has a very long ramp".

But he said other establishments still needed to make improvements.

Drawing on his experience as a board member of the Prince's Youth Business Trust, Mr Porteous said youngsters could be very disadvantaged if they were unable to get into places like hotels which offer conference facilities.

Mr Porteous also highlighted the business sense in establishments being accessible.

"This is a group of people with a good deal of disposable income. Businesses are missing out by not making the effort."

He dismissed arguments that a building's age might pose access problems.

"If you can put a ramp into the Merchant Adventurers' Hall and make the Minster accessible, then you could do that at certain hotels."

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of the York Tourism Bureau, said: "Accessibility is a very important criteria which the judges used when they were shortlisting and choosing the winners. Whilst some of York's historic buildings are not always easily accessible, the Tourism Awards takes note of owners' and managers' efforts to make their premises more accessible."

Updated: 10:36 Monday, October 18, 2004