City of York Council is asking residents to give their views on the quality of York's open spaces in the next few weeks.

The aim is to find out whether the city's open spaces and playing pitches meet residents' needs, whether there are enough open spaces and pitches in York and if they are of high enough quality.

The council is carrying out a major consultation over the next few weeks to gauge people's views. As part of the process, residents will be able to attend a number of neighbourhood 'drop in' sessions to give their comments.

The sessions are on: - Wednesday, 31 January, between 11am-3pm at Mobile Exhibition Unit in Parliament Street - Wednesday, 31 January, between 4pm - 7pm at Tesco, Stirling Road, Clifton Moor Centre - Thursday, 1 February, between 2pm - 5pm at Tesco, Tadcaster Road, Askham Bar

The study is part of a wider government scheme and will focus on open space that is well used and valued by local people. It will include parks, woodlands, canals and footpaths, outdoor sports facilities and pitches, children's play areas, amenity green space within housing developments, allotments, civic spaces and cemeteries and churchyards.

The work is being carried out by specialist sport and leisure consultants PMP, on behalf of the council.

As part of the consultation process, 5,000 questionaires have been sent to homes in the city asking for residents' views. Anyone who would like to comment, but who has not received a questionnaire and cannot attend a drop in session can call Gary Grocock at PMP on 01606 49582 to get more information on the survey. Alternatively they can register their views by emailing yorkopenspace@pmpconsult.com; texting YORK to 07717 704563 or writing to York Open Space Assessment of Local Needs, Response Service No. NWW8693A, PMP, FREEPOST, 3 Brunel Court, Gadbrook Park, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7ZX