York is famed for the hundreds of pubs, bars and restaurants which are crammed into the city centre's medieval streets, attracting thousands of revellers from across the country every year.

The Micklegate area has long been an epicentre for hordes of drinkers including hen and stag parties, although concerns have been expressed over a growing binge-drinking culture in York.

A designated zone to monitor the number of licensed premises in the city centre was launched five years ago in the hope of preventing drink-related offences.

However, North Yorkshire Police figures have indicated the cumulative impact zone (CIZ) should be extended to include more of the city's 322 licensed premises.

A proposed extension would contain three per cent more of the area inside the city walls but would include 15 per cent more of all crime. Chairman of York Council's gambling and licensing acts committee Coun Dave Merrett said: "The CIZ has allowed the council to limit the intensification of licensed activities and to impose stricter management controls on how licensed premises are run there.

"Along with a positive response from the trade and well targeted policing initiatives, this has positively reduced the previous problems of the area. However, there has been some growth of problems outside the current CIZ."

The number of offences within the current CIZ has fallen. There were 425 assaults and criminal damage offences in the zone last year, compared with 694 in 2007.

Councillors have agreed to consult on extending the CIZ, which could include St Sampson's Square and Blake Street.