YORK and District sports clubs are to throw their weight behind the argument against Government plans which could see an end of rate relief and tax benefits.

More than 40 clubs attended a special meeting held by the York and District Sports Council to address the seriousness of the proposal - an 18-page document entitled Promoting Sport in the Community.

The YDSC broke down the details of the document, which could see clubs lose the tax exemptions and rate relief currently offered to them unless they claim charitable status - a time-consuming, complex procedure which will not be available to all clubs.

The document would also mean the unpaid volunteers who are vital to every club's existence could only be part of one committee, while all members of clubs should get the same amount of games, regardless or of skill, ability or age.

After having heard all the evidence, the sports clubs present were asked to voice their opinions to the Government by February 1 in a form of a letter, an appeal which was whole-hearted agreement.

Albert Pattison, the secretary of the York and District Senior League said: "If they cut the discretionary rate relief it will be the death knell for a lot of clubs - all cricket clubs rely on fundraising and unpaid people running them.

"The document, apart from the financial side, is going to have a huge impact on the amount of work done by volunteers - there is not enough volunteers as it is."

John Jeffery, from the Wigginton Playing Field Association which runs has the squash, bowls and football club under its umbrella, said: "The squash club will basically suffer severely, so will the junior and senior football club."

Updated: 12:05 Thursday, January 10, 2002