Lord Mayor may star in drive to raise city profile across globe

York Council is considering using the city's Lord Mayor as a central figure in a major marketing drive to target destinations as far afield as the Far East and Africa and across Europe.

Previous Lord Mayors of York have travelled extensively in recent years to locations including China, Syria and Ghana as well as the twin cities of Munster in Germany and Dijon in France.

Council officials have acknowledged more could be done to host return visits for national and international luminaries at the Lord Mayor of York's official residence, the Mansion House on St Helen's Square in the city centre.

However, the annual budget for civic hospitality and functions stands at only 17,000, and the council's democratic services manager, Dawn Steel, has admitted that the financial constraints are "problematic", with the situation unlikely to improve in the short term amid public sector cutbacks.

However, the city's mayoral title is seen as a key promotional tool to help attract corporate events as well as more visitors to boost York's multi-million-pound tourism industry.

The Yorkshire Post revealed in November last year that an advisory group was being established to oversee the Mansion House, more than a decade after a previous body to raise the 18th century property's profile was disbanded.

A security review has been carried out and more closed circuit TV cameras are being installed to ensure adequate protection for the extensive collection of silver, antique furniture and paintings in the building.