HUNDREDS of striking council workers rallied at a mass meeting in York today as their actions hit city centre tourists, shoppers and motorists.

More than 300 strikers chanted "Equal pay, no delay" as they gathered in St Sampson's Square for speeches by union leaders.

They hailed a "fabulous turnout" for the strike, which is believed to have involved more than 2,000 City of York Council staff.

The impact was felt across the city:

- Tourists were left disappointed after finding museums such as the Castle Museum closed because of the strike

- Shoppers said they risked being caught short as public toilets remained closed

- Motorists were unable to use three city centre car parks, and were asked by picketing strikers to consider not using other ones.

The strike by cleansing staff also began to have an effect by lunchtime, as litter and manure from the city's horse and carriage rides remained uncollected.

Bollards intended to enforce the city centre's pedestrian zone remained down.

At the rally, Liz Carr, UNISON York branch secretary, told the crowd: "It has been a fabulous turnout. It's the first time manual and white collar workers have joined together in a national campaign for local government."

Miss Carr said parking attendant John Garbutt deserved an award for starting picketing from 12.01am onwards.

She said: "At 3.30am private contractors came in to open the car parks and John turned them away. There never will be a better time to go for better pay.

"It's embarrassing that so many of our colleagues are earning less than £5 an hour."

Dave Mitchell, UNISON regional senior officer, told the crowd: "I think we've had a magnificent response from the public who refused to go through picket lines."

The impact on the city's visitors dismayed tourism bosses.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau said: "Most British visitors are aware that this is part of a national strike and so have been very understanding. It has been more difficult explaining the situation to our overseas guests."

Julie Walsh and Michael Parker, from Cumbria, had saved the last day of their trip to visit the Castle Museum.

Julie said: "We were really looking forward to it. It was supposed to be the highlight of our holiday. Obviously we sympathise with the pickets. A three per cent pay rise is abominable. We're now going to Bettys to cheer ourselves up."

Janine and Chris Tavner, from Sydney, Australia, had come to the museum with their son, Ben. Janine said: "We are a bit disappointed as this is the last day of our trip. Ben was looking forward to having a look round."

Picket lines succeeded in preventing three city centre car parks - Foss Bank, Tanner Row and Piccadilly - from opening as normal, in addition to Shambles car park, which was already expected to be shut.

But the Piccadilly multi-storey car park was later opened at the second attempt, to the anger of pickets.

Motorist Rosalind Maggs, from Dunnington, driving into the city for work purposes, said: "I am 100 per centre behind this strike. I am only too happy to find somewhere else to park."

Meanwhile, motorists who parked on the street in restricted areas looked set to get away without punishment after the city's parking attendants joined the strike.

Shoppers complained about the lack of toilet facilities, despite measures by the city council and retailers to encourage them to use loos in nearby stores.

Dominic Huckin, of Strensall, said: "The toilets are closed at Coppergate. They're closed here at Parliament Street. They're closed everywhere. I don't know what we're supposed to do."

Samantha Wood, from Colchester, said: "It is my first day here and while I support the principles of the strike, I think the toilets should be have been left open."

Updated: 15:44 Wednesday, July 17, 2002