YORK residents really will come first at the 2003 Residents First Weekend, as more than 50 tourist attractions, museums and restaurants team up to offer two days of top-class entertainment.

Free entry, special offers and meals at bargain basement prices are all available at the event, organised by the First Stop York tourism partnership and sponsored by Science City York.

There is even a chance to win a night in a top hotel in association with the Evening Press.

Now in its eighth year, Residents First is held to say "Thank you" to York residents for the way they show hospitality to tourists throughout the year.

The event, to be held this year on January 25 and 26, is also aimed at encouraging more people to enjoy the delights of York by recommending favourite places to family and friends.

As always, a huge range of attractions is involved, with the list of popular regulars complemented by some new additions.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said today: "York residents are important ambassadors who help to ensure four million visitors have a friendly welcome and an enjoyable stay here.

"We are again delighted that so many attractions will be opening their doors to residents to celebrate what a great place York is to live in and visit," she said.

Always in demand is the Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, back on board this year to offer York residents free entry.

Also back this year is a guided tour round York Minster Stoneyard, which offers visitors the chance to see the masons and carvers workshops and the plastercast museum.

Newcomers include the Archaeological Research Centre (ARC), at St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate, where visitors can investigate York's Viking past, and St William's College, in College Street, the former home of the Minster Chantry Priests.

All York residents need to get in free is a valid York Card and proof of address.

Food fans can enjoy the weekend by taking advantage of Residents Feast meal deals offered by a wide range of York's top restaurants.

Enjoy a special set-price for either a two-course lunch or dinner by simply taking along a copy of the Residents' First leaflet, York Card and proof of residency to participating restaurants. All offers are subject to availability and reservations may be required in some establishments.

A number of the eateries have extended the special offer past the official end of Residents First.

To get a York Card, visit the YORtime offices, at 20 Back Swinegate, York, between 10am and 6pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 8pm on Wednesday or 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

The cards are also valid throughout the year and give discounts on a number of City of York Council-owned attractions, sports centres and entertainment venues.

Some attractions are running tours on a limited ticket-only basis, so it is vital to check beforehand and book tickets if necessary.

There is also a special competition being run in association with the Evening Press, through which the First Stop York tourism partnership is offering residents the chance to spend a night in one of York's top hotels. Le Meridian Hotel, Monk Bar Hotel and the Quality Hotel will give three lucky winners dinner, bed and breakfast for two on the evening of Saturday, January 25. To enter, just answer the simple question on the coupon below, and send your completed entry in an envelope marked "Residents First competition" to First Stop York, 20 George Hudson Street, York, YO1 6WR, to arrive by noon on Monday, January 20, 2003. Further details about the weekend can be found in a Residents First leaflet, obtainable by phoning 01904 554425.

During the weekend itself, information will be available from the Residents First Information Point, in Parliament Street.

There is a big incentive to visit the information point, as competition forms will be available which will be entered into a draw - with a £250 Superbreak holiday voucher up for grabs.

Residents Feast

City Screen, Coney Street, tel 01904 612940

Dean Court Hotel, Duncombe Place, 625082

El Piano, Grape Lane, 610676

Frankie C's, Walmgate, 652383

Jaipur Spice, Haxby Road, 673550

Le Meridien York Hotel, Station Road, 653681

The Lime House, Goodramgate, 632734

Melton's Restaurant, Scarcroft Road, 634341

Melton's Too, Walmgate, 629222

Monkbar Hotel, St Maurice's Road, 638086

Rish, Fossgate, 622688

St William's Restaurant, College Street, 634830

The Brasserie at The Grange Hotel, Clifton, 644744

Tricksters Lane, Fossgate, 675576

York Moat House Hotel, North Street, 459988

York Pavilion Hotel, Fulford, 622099

Attractions

The ARC (Archaeological Resource Centre), St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate, tel 01904 543403

Association of Voluntary Guides - Walking Tour, De Grey Rooms, Exhibition Square, 640780

Barley Hall, Coffee Yard, 610275

The Bar Convent Museum, Blossom Street, 643238

Farmers Market, Parliament Street, 551355

Guildhall, St Helen's Square, 551051

Hidden History of Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, 613451

Impressions Gallery, Castlegate 654724

Merchant Taylors' Hall, Aldwark

Military Museum of the Royal Dragoon Guards and The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, Tower Street, 642036

National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, 621261

Richard III Museum, Monk Bar, 634191

Roman Bath, St Sampson's Square, 620455

St William's College, College Street, 557233

YorkBoat - Guided River Trips, The Boatyard, Lendal Bridge, 628324

York Art Gallery - Special Exhibition - Making Journeys, Exhibition Square, 553125

York Castle Museum, The Eye of York, 653611

York Dungeon, Clifford Street, 632599

York Model Railway, at York Station, 630169

Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, 608595

Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, Museum Gardens, 551800

Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton Park, Murton, 489966

Yorkwalk, Museum Gardens Gates, 622303

Yorvik Brass Rubbing Centre, Sir Joseph Terry's Almshouses, Skeldergate,

630456 (ext. 226.)

The attractions listed below have had to restrict entry due to limited tour capacity, so checking ticket arrangements is vital.

Clifford's Tower, Tower Street, 646940

Ghost Hunt of York, tour departs from Shambles at 7.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Ghost Trail of York, meet at the front doors of York Minster, at 8pm on Saturday

JORVIK - The Viking City, Coppergate, 643211

Mansion House - At the Lord's Table, St Helen's Square, 613161

Water World, Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross, 642111

York Brewery, Toft Green, off Micklegate, 621162

York Minster, Deangate, 557216

York Minster Library Tours, Deans Park, 625308

York Minster Stoneyard, Deangate., 557226

York City Sightseeing Bus Tours, 640896

With all attractions, check times and availability before setting out.

Updated: 11:09 Thursday, January 09, 2003