A PARTNERSHIP to protect and make better use of York's rivers could be formed after a study slammed the waterways as "uninviting, unattractive and under-utilised".

Partners would work to secure funding for the rivers Ouse and Foss, to promote leisure river activities such as river festivals, utilise the waterways and conserve wildlife.

It follows a study by City of York Council's leisure scrutiny board, which gathered opinions from groups and organisations, including the Foss Environmental Liaison Group and York Amateur Rowing Association, to find out how York could make better use of the rivers and their banks.

The council hopes the scheme to champion the rivers would lead to opportunities for matching bids for external funding. David Meigh, the council's head of parks and open spaces, said: "A great deal of individuals and organisations have expressed an interest and I really hope it will be a permanent arrangement to improve the rivers."

The study also generated other ideas, including a continuous route along the rivers, accessible to all pedestrians, including people using wheelchairs and buggies.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust raised initial concerns that a rivers partnership might focus on recreational activities and force conservation into the background.

Coun Alan Jones, the council's executive member for leisure and heritage, will discuss the initiative on April 10, from 5pm, at York's Guildhall.

Updated: 11:24 Saturday, April 05, 2003