ARCHITECTURE, history, art and ale were all sampled by the Mayor of Croydon during a special visit to York.

Councillor Stuart Collins was welcomed to the city by the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor David Horton, yesterday as part of a "Mayor exchange". Coun Horton is due to visit Croydon tomorrow.

Coun Collins, 42, is one of 32 London mayors and he is keen to boost the cultural image of his town, which he says has its own identity and its own attractions.

Transport links such as trams and trains, a thriving night life and a burgeoning arts programme have combined to increase Croydon's attraction over recent years, Coun Collins said.

During his day in York he enjoyed a tour of The Mansion House and he experienced the sights and smells of Jorvik.

York Minster was also on the itinerary before a walking tour of the city, a quick pint of real ale at York's smallest pub, the Blue Bell, and fine food at the Rish restaurant, both in Fossgate.

Over lunch at Rish, York Tourism Bureau's restaurant of the year, he met representatives from York Tourism Bureau, York Museums Trust, Nestl - important because the confectionery manufacturer also has a major centre in Croydon - York Inward Investment Board, the McArthurGlen designer outlet at Fulford, and The Evening Press. Staff at Rish were happy to welcome the civic party for lunch, in spite of the fact that the restaurant had been closed for refurbishment work. Rish reopens to the public on Friday evening.

Owner Maria Abu Rish said she was happy to help and offered the guests dishes such as ravioli with Scottish salmon and pan-fried turbot with fennel and artichoke risotto.

Mrs Abu Rish said: "I'm from York, this is my city and it was no problem whatsoever to open up the restaurant. I think it went really well, everyone left very well fed and very happy."

Next on the agenda for the mayors was a visit to the Castle Museum and last stop was the National Railway Museum.

Coun Collins said he was particularly impressed with the Viking characters at Jorvik - an idea he may recommend to Croydon attractions such as the Lifetimes Museum, which tells residents' life stories over more than 100 years.

Coun Collins said: "York is absolutely brilliant, and although it is how I imagined it, I didn't realise quite how historic it is.

"I particularly liked Jorvik, and something we could try at home is having people dressed up in costume, explaining things to people in our museums.

"I also appreciate how the elders of the city have looked after the heritage."

Coun Horton said he was looking forward to visiting Croydon.

He said: "It's nice to welcome visitors to the city, regardless of where they come from, and show them the nice things we have here."

Updated: 10:01 Wednesday, May 07, 2003