TOURISTS visiting York have expressed their disappointment over plans to reduce the national bed size for holiday makers.

The proposals, from the English Tourism Council's Guest Accommodation Trade Advisory Group, would mean instead of the current standard of 3ft for single beds and 4ft 6in for doubles, the minimum width would be reduced to 2ft 6in and 4ft respectively.

The measures would either apply in one diamond-rated accommodation, or see the introduction of a new sub-category called Minimum Standard.

Lin Hill, 37, visiting York from Ross-on-Wye, told the Evening Press she would not be prepared to stay in a hotel with beds of a smaller size.

She said: "The one we're staying in now isn't big enough. Its a double measuring 4ft 6in and there's still not enough room. Smaller beds wouldn't stop me visiting York, but I'd book higher-graded accommodation."

Peter Drake, 39, from Northumberland, said: "The beds would become too narrow for comfort."

Marsha Jones, 55, from Texas, said: "I like space when I sleep. I wouldn't want to sleep in a small bed."

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "In York we aim to improve standards and quality of accommodation on offer. People are expecting more comfortable accommodation. It seems to be going in the wrong direction. We want to be improving the standards of what we offer to the visitors in order to attract as wide as possible range of visitors"

General manager of the Dean Court Hotel, David Brooks, will not be affected by the proposals, but said he would not implement beds of those sizes in his hotel.

He said: "People are used to having bigger beds in their homes. If anything we aim to make beds bigger if the space allows."

Tourism chiefs in Scarborough have also attacked the plans, claiming they are a backward step for standards. The recommendations will not affect the star grading scheme for hotels or any of the other diamond-rated accommodation.

Updated: 09:07 Saturday, March 01, 2003