THE Easter weekend was declared a bumper success for tourism as sunny weather saw holidaymakers flocking to York and East Coast resorts.

Hotels and guest houses across the region reported healthy bookings, and York was so busy that last minute visitors to the city had difficulty finding accommodation.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "It's been an excellent weekend. The Tourist Information Centre was busy and it appears that the town itself was busy - visitors were staying and spending.

"I think the good weather last week encouraged people to think about going away for a short break and the slightly poorer weather on Sunday was better for York than for the seaside towns because people were looking for indoor attractions.

"The Dungeons, Jorvik and York Castle Museum all had queues, which was a good indication."

A big weekend was also enjoyed on the Yorkshire coast.

David Jeffels, Scarborough Borough Council's cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: "It's been an excellent start to the holiday season.

"Hoteliers and guest house owners in Filey, Scarborough and Whitby reported excellent bookings and in some places it was at a premium.

"I think people have just been anxious to take advantage of the first holiday of the year, and I've been particularly pleased at the high levels of activity in the Esk Valley area of the North York Moors National Park, which was so hard-hit last year by foot and mouth disease."

Access to York was eased by the Highways Agency halting work on the A64 at Copmanthorpe, though queues still bult up on the A64 and A1.

A spokesman for PA Weather said it would be cloudy and dull today, with patchy drizzle.

Updated: 10:51 Monday, April 01, 2002