REVELLERS could soon come home from a night out in York smelling of freshly-baked bread, peaches or lemon meringue pie.

Two city-centre clubs are planning to replace the pungent smell of cigarettes and cigars with something a little sweeter.

The owners of Nexus, in George Hudson Street, and bpm in Rougier Street, are trialling 100 different fragrances which will be pumped across the bars and dance floors once the smoking ban comes into effect.

They say the idea is to mask the "scents associated with drinking and dancing", which will be more noticeable after July 1 - an unintended side-effect of the anti-smoking legislation.

The first fragrances to be tested in the clubs will be strawberry and vanilla A judging panel of staff and customers will decide on the final three, which will then be used in both venues.

While fresh flowers, lemon meringue pie and peaches are also on the preferred list, others provided by the fragrance company behind the scheme - including rotting flesh and rotting fish - are definitely not.

Russ Brown, director of McMillan York, which owns both bpm and Nexus, said: "Once you remove the very strong smell of tobacco you are left with other scents associated with drinking and dancing. And it's these we want to mask."

The new, sweeter smells will be pumped through the clubs via special scent machines.

If the trials prove successful, then up to three machines will be fitted in each venue.

Mr Brown said: "Having three machines means we can either pump the same scent or three different smells, either at the same time or separately.

"We want to have clubs known as great places to visit, offering great entertainment, and giving off great smells."

To cater for smokers once the July 1 ban comes into effect, both Nexus and bpm will boast roof-top smoking terraces, complete with patio heaters and furniture.