ORGANISERS of a petition to save York City have already collected hundreds of signatures - from as far away as Japan and The Netherlands.

Supporters launched the petition to call on City of York Council to refuse any application to build on the Bootham Crescent ground.

Organiser Frank Ormston, 42, a City supporter for 32 years, said: "I'm thrilled with the response - I can't believe I got an email from a City fan in Japan. My friend in Holland has also being collecting signatures from Ajax fans. It shows the depth of feeling created by the board's decision. We hope the signatures keep pouring in."

Mr Ormston, who was the editor of former City fanzine, Terrace Talk, said they hoped to collect several thousand signatures before presenting the petition to councillors at a planning meeting on January 31.

The petition quotes the council's draft local plan, under which a change of use resulting in the loss of a local leisure facility should only be granted planning permission if either a local need for the leisure facility no longer exists, or appropriate alternative facilities exist in the local area.

Copies of the petition are available by email from frank.ormston@btinternet.com

Mr Ormston can be contacted on 07956 237 270.

Updated: 10:34 Tuesday, January 22, 2002