A LEADING York councillor has been appointed to a national group which promotes tourism.

Rural West York councillor Ian Gillies , leader of City of York Council ’s Conservative group, has joined the leisure, tourism and sport board of the Local Government Association.

Coun Gillies, who is also a director of tourism body Visit York, said: “Having spent many years involved in tourism, I am delighted to be asked to join the board and I will continue to support the work of Visit York and Welcome To Yorkshire on the national stage.”