A BUMPER weekend for tourism is in store for York, as spare hotel rooms run scarce and the sun is set to sizzle.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said tourist information centres had reported a rush of bookings this week.

She said: "York is not full up, but I spoke to tourist information yesterday who said they are struggling for accommodation, there is not much left for this weekend.

"I don't think the hot weather is the negative thing some people think it is, there are a lot of outdoor attractions here, such as the Bar Walls, the Museum Gardens, the river cruises."

Mrs Cruddas said advance bookings were also looking good.

She said: "Conference bookings are stacking up extremely well and the number of bookings already made for September, October and November is pleasing."

June Nelsey, director of the Monk Bar Hotel, and chairman of the York Hoteliers' Group, said advance demand for the rest of August was well ahead of last year.

She said: "A recent hoteliers' meeting had a very positive feeling."

Ms Nelsey admitted she was concerned the heatwave would see a mass exodus to the coast.

But she added: "People see it as a good time to go to the city.

"We have a range of great attractions, indoor and out, and of course not everyone likes the sunshine."

Mrs Cruddas urged caution when assessing figures in a study by the Yorkshire Tourist Board which appear to show room occupancy rates well down on last year for June. She said: "Obviously they give us some concern, but our research, particularly with the large hotels, shows business this summer is doing very well."

A spokesman for PA Weather said temperatures in York were set to peak between 27 and 30C (81 to 86F).

Sunday is forecast to be sunny, with slightly lower temperatures of between 24 and 26C (66 to 68F)

He said: "The east coast will be cooler with some fog and low cloud on Saturday, but Sunday will be much the same as inland."

Updated: 11:05 Friday, August 08, 2003