WE'VE long known it, and now the rest of the country is catching on. York is Britain's best city.

Our pride is tinged with extra Northern satisfaction as York dethroned London to take top spot in the Daily Telegraph Travel Awards.

This is a tribute to all those who work so hard in York's tourism industry. Some of our best ambassadors are on the shortlist for the York Tourism Awards, which we publish tonight.

The honour also provides an opportunity to take stock of what our city offers both visitor and resident. Tourism boss Gillian Cruddas believes York won because visitors love "evidence of 2,000 years of history".

Another good reason, then, to treat our heritage with the greatest respect. The future of Castle Piccadilly is a case in point. Yesterday an independent report recommended that the site combined an open civic space with a large department store, supermarket and other shops.

This is a useful contribution to the crucial debate about the future of this most sensitive corner.

Historic attractions should not take their tourist allure for granted, however. York Minster's decision to increase admission charges by a whopping 11 per cent is difficult to justify.

Meanwhile, residents are again wondering whether there is one York for the tourists and another for them. Britain's best city is facing massive cuts to services unless ministers based in Britain's fourth best city start to play - and pay - fair.

Updated: 10:24 Wednesday, October 13, 2004