The picturesque spectacle of peacocks could be set to make a return to York's Museum Gardens thanks to the city's civic trust.

York Civic Trust has offered to pay for six birds to be re-established in the gardens following news that the previous peacock population had dwindled and almost disappeared.

But the proposal, which aims to get the birds in place for early summer, would need to be sanctioned by the York Museums Committee, which runs the gardens.

John Hampshire, the Yorkshire Philosophical Society's liaison officer with City of York Council, said the issue would be considered at the committee's next meeting in May.

"It is not that clear cut. Some people are in favour of the peacocks coming back but others are not," said Mr Hampshire.

While the Evening Press, which first highlighted the peacock issue, was inundated with letters from locals and visitors concerned about their demise, others have raised concerns about the noise the birds create, their tendency to wander off into other parts of the city and the impact of their foraging on the garden's blooms.

John Shannon, chairman of York Civic Trust, said: "Our committee was unanimous in their wish to buy these birds for York, recalling that peacocks have been part of the York scene in the Museum Gardens for many years, bringing pleasure to citizens and visitors alike with their colourful display."

He said the birds, which would cost about £30 each, would only be bought if people could be found to feed them regularly during their first two months acclimatising in the gardens.

Updated: 09:08 Wednesday, March 28, 2001