THE forerunner of today's thrill-filled white knuckle rides has been putting people in York in a spin.

An impressive carousel has taken up residence on the Eye of York, in the shadow of Clifford's Tower, where it is set to stay for the whole summer.

The carousel, which features 36 horses and seats 72 riders, was made in 1920, and each of its horses were individually hand-carved by Andersons of Bristol, which made figureheads for ships.

The ride, which was originally steam-powered but nowadays runs off a generator, is owned and operated by John Warrington, from Kirby Misperton, near Pickering, and has been in his family since the 1960s.

He said: "It's a popular attraction with people of all ages. It's funny how it always needs two adults to take one child on it."

Mr Warrington's firm G Warrington & Son, which was started by his father Gordon, also operates another carousel in the centre of Edinburgh.

The carousel currently visiting York has travelled to Hong Kong, Dubai, Holland and Ireland in recent years.

The ride will be joined by a host of other attractions next weekend for a festival of fairground organs.

Updated: 08:12 Thursday, August 01, 2002