THE proprietor of a floating river café near York today said he was "very pleased" City of York Council had allowed him to moor the boat on the River Ouse.

A City of York Council licensing committee yesterday approved Richard Dearlove's application to secure the Duchess Of York by the Ship Inn, at Acaster Malbis, near York.

Mr Dearlove, who runs the Ship Inn, said the craft would be a "sedate" café bar and add to the diminishing number of facilities for boating customers on the river.

He said the vessel, which also provides lunch and dinner cruises and city-centre tours, would be like an alternative beer garden.

The application had met with objections from five village residents, who wrote to the council expressing their opposition to the move.

Mr Dearlove said: "We're very pleased with this decision. We submitted our application with the residents of Acaster Malbis in mind and, as we have said all along, we want to open a floating café and not a late-night drinking venue.

"The Duchess Of York twinned with the Ship Inn is a unique venue on the river. It will be a very nice river attraction for our existing customers and people visiting the village."

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said no live music could be played on the boat and there could be no dancing on board.

The spokesperson said alcohol could only be sold on the craft until 9.30pm and that everyone should vacate the vessel by 10.30pm.