SHOPKEEPERS are being urged to do their bit in the battle to clean up York streets.

Businesses have an important part to play in keeping the city free from litter, said Gillian Cruddas, president of the York Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs Cruddas, also chief executive of the city's Tourism Bureau, told the Evening Press, last Friday, how she feared filthy streets could be driving tourists away.

Her concerns were shared by City of York Council leader Rod Hills, who launched an investigation into the problem.

Now Mrs Cruddas has asked the council to let businesses know what their responsibilities are for keeping their properties clean.

And she has also called for harsher penalties for litter louts who mar the city's picturesque streets.

"We need to teach people not to be litter louts. There seems to be a laissez-faire attitude towards enforcing penalties for people who drop litter," she said.

It is all a far cry from earlier on this year, when the city was named the best visitor destination outside London in a survey.

In the Thomas Cook 2001 Travel Awards, published in June, York was one of only two cities to be praised by tourists for its clean streets.

But in our report, we revealed how we found litter and graffiti at countless sites including Coppergate Walk, High Ousegate and Kings Square.

Mrs Cruddas added: "Keeping our streets clean is a joint responsibility. But it needs to be made clear where the responsibility lies," she said.

"There could be a lot of small businesses who don't realise that they are responsible for their own properties.

"The different parties then need to work together to preserve York's beautiful streets."

A spokesman from Land Securities, which owns the Coppergate Centre, said: "We take great pride in its appearance. We have a team of maintenance staff working seven days a week to ensure all of the common areas of the centre remain neat and tidy."

A City of York Council spokesman added: "The council has a contract to clean the city centre and it does so. There are some private areas which we don't clean but other firms service those areas."

* Today the Evening Press urges readers to reveal the city's streets of shame. If you see an area marred by litter, cigarette butts or graffiti, contact Steve Carroll on (01904) 653051 extension 311 or e-mail him on the link above.

Updated: 08:45 Tuesday, October 16, 2001