A RECORD number of attractions are being lined up for this weekend's York Residents' Festival.

The 21st annual event is billed as a chance for York residents to be a tourist in their home city for free.

More than 70 attractions, eateries and retailers are getting involved in the weekend designed to thank locals for welcoming York’s seven million global visitors each year.

Organised by Make it York and sponsored by transport company First, the festival's free deals are available to residents with YorkCards.

For the first time this year, those with York student ID cards - taking in the city's two universities plus York and Askham Bryan Colleges - can also benefit.

Kate McMullen, head of consumer products and marketing at organiser Make It York, said ‘We’re delighted to be celebrating 21 years of this free event.

"When it was first set up, our Residents Festival was unique in the country.

"Since then it has gone from strength to strength and we’ve expanded the programme each year to include not only free entry to our world-class attractions but also a range of shopping and restaurant offers.

"We hope this year that for the first time students will take advantage of the event too."

A First Bus will be parked in Parliament Street offering free wi-fi, muffins and a gift.

Customers buying a First Day Ticket (£3.80) on Saturday can travel for free all day on Sunday, while groups of four people can travel for £5.

Since the festival started, it is estimated that over 300,000 free visits have been taken up by York residents.

Last year saw the highest recorded participation yet with 40,000 free visits – a figure that has more than doubled since the festival’s first year.

New attractions include the York Army Museum and the Victorian Ballroom in the De Grey Rooms.

York Castle Museum will have a host of Victorian shopkeepers, while DIG will be offering free tours and ‘Little Diggers’ sessions.

Out of York attractions taking part include Beningborough Hall and Castle Howard.

Make It York has also co-ordinated deals with retailers looking to get back on their feet after the Boxing Day floods.

YorkCards cost £5 from the city's Explore libraries and entitle holders to discounts at leisure facilities and attractions for a year.

Some of the attractions and events require pre-booking, while some venues have limited free tickets.

For more information, call into the Visit York Information Centre in Museum Street or log on to www.visityork.org/residentsfestival

For online version:

Eateries new to the Residents’ Festival line up for 2016 are:

• Applejacks Sports Bar and Dinner - Tower Street

• Prezzo - Clifford Street

• Hotel Noir - Clifton Green

• Dean Court Hotel - Duncombe Place

• Los Moros

• Olley & Olley Wholehogsausage co

• York Pie Co

• Shambles Tavern

Retail offers include:

• According To McGee, Tower Street- 20% discount

• Bradley’s Jewellers, Low Petergate - 15% discount on diamonds and coloured gems

• Cleggs, Goodramgate - 10% discount (excludes greeting cards)

• Jack Wolfskin, Lendal-20% off RRP, further 10% off sale items.

• Leia Lingerie, Spurriergate – 10% discount

• Palenque Jewellery, Low Petergate – 10% discount

• Il Gusto, Low Petergate – 10% discount