YORK MP Hugh Bayley has backed legislation to make it a criminal offence to buy, sell, or deal in looted archaeological and historical artefacts.

The Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Bill is also supported by York heritage experts.

The main focus of the legislation will be to stop people trading in objects stolen from museums and historic sites overseas, such as those looted from Baghdad museum.

But Mr Bayley said it would also stop people buying or selling cobbles or pavement slabs stolen from York's historic streets.

The Evening Press reported on Tuesday that some villages in North Yorkshire have seen their distinctive nameplates stolen. Some of the signs have ended up for sale on the internet.

Mr Bayley, who is sitting in a House of Commons standing committee supporting the Bill, said: "This is an excellent bit of legislation and I want to get it through Parliament as soon as possible.

"The appalling looting of the National Museum in Baghdad shows why it is necessary but we have problems closer to home too. It is not just theft from museums but people who steal York stone slabs from pavements who will be caught. This is a strong cross-party initiative to deal with a serious problem which matters to a historic city like York."

Mr Bayley has consulted York heritage experts, including Professor Peter Addyman, former director of the York Archaeological Trust, Janet Barnes, director of the York Museums Trust, and Dr Jane Grenville, head of the University of York's department of archaeology. Professor Addyman said it was "a well-focused Bill which will strangle the black market in illicit antiquities in Britain and therefore help to remove the commercial motive for illicit excavation and the raiding of sites and historic buildings both at home and abroad".

The Commons Culture Select Committee called for legislation in July 2000. The Bill was drafted by a DCMS Illicit Trade Advisory Panel.

Updated: 09:24 Friday, May 16, 2003