THE owners of a York visitor attraction say they have had their best season.

York Maze, near Elvington, closed its gates to visitors last week after a bumper summer which saw 80,000 people looking to find their way out of the astronaut-themed attraction.

Maze owner Tom Pearcy said the total represented a 50 per cent increase on last year.

“I think a big part of it is down to the weather,” he said. “We are open for seven weeks and if we lose ten days of that due to rain, which we did last year, it has a big effect on us.

“This year I think we only lost three days even though it wasn’t a particularly good summer.”

He said: “We have spent a lot of money on improving visitor facilities and adding new attractions. With the new café, farm animals, children’s play areas, tractor-trailer rides and other attractions, a visit to York Maze is now a complete family day out.

“I think the credit crunch means more people stayed at home this year looking for good value days out, which is exactly what York Maze offers.”

The theme of the 2009 Maze marked the 40th anniversary of the first Apollo moon landing and it was cut out in the shape of an astronaut.

At 18 acres, York Maze is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. This year it has been shortlisted for a Visitor Experience award from the Yorkshire Tourist Board.

Mr Pearcy said: “I am farmer by trade and I entered in to this as a means of diversification and it has sort of become my sole occupation.”

York Maze is open from mid July to early September.