A NEW version of hit game Monopoly is being released and York is on track to be the new Mayfair - but might end up as Old Kent Road.

Makers Parker are bringing out a version called UK Here & Now. But rather than deciding on the 22 locations by the cost of the property they are basing it on the amount of votes towns and cities get from their residents.

Therefore, if York gets the most votes it will replace Mayfair on the board, if it comes second it will be Park Lane. But if it just scrapes in at 22nd then the historic city could end up as the UK's equivalent of Old Kent Road.

But so far it's looking positive.

At the start of yesterday, York and Exeter were vying for the top spots with Exeter just in front on 450 votes while York was on 426. But a surge of voting saw York drop to fifth - the equivalent of Regent Street - and Shrewsbury suddenly shot up the rankings to take the top spot.

People in York now need to cast their vote to get the city back on course for Mayfair.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said she was very pleased that York is doing so well.

She said: "It's a fun thing but there could be benefits to us from a profile-raising perspective if we're in the number one or two spot.

"It is a very popular game and if everybody playing it gets reminded that York is one of the top spots in the country it will have benefits.

"I think it's really good news.

"If we are on the Monopoly board it's like putting York on the map."

It is not the first time the city has featured on a Monopoly board.

Back in 1999 a special Yorkshire version of the game was introduced which featured various places around the county including Coppergate in York while the Minster occupied the Mayfair square.

To vote for York in the new UK edition of the game visit www.monopoly.co.uk and follow the links. Voting ends on May 25.