THE Yorkshire Tourist Board has been saying it for years but now the "friendly" county of Yorkshire has been voted the most sociable in the country by society magazine Tatler.

The July issue of the magazine, most commonly found gracing the coffee tables of the rich and famous, places Yorkshire at the forefront of Britain's top ten social counties.

Yorkshire is described by journalist Victoria Mather as the most traditional county in England where you're considered to be a newcomer for the first 300 years of residence.

According to the article you won't find the members of Steps or the Gallagher brothers taking a quiet weekend's rest in the White Rose County as it is a "strictly rock-star-free-zone."

Its inhabitants are grand old families more likely to be dressed in practical tweed suits than spangly synthetic crop tops. An invitation to dine with Simon Howard at Castle Howard would be the most sought-after social achievement in the county with Sir John and Lady Ropner coming a close second. William and Marie-Noelle Worsley and Sir Thomas and Lady Ingilby are also on the list, but for those whose address books are devoid of such distinguished names, you might try making a well-groomed appearance in one of the places to be seen named in the article.

Demurely dabbing your mouth while enjoying a pork and stuffing roll at York or Wetherby Races is a must for any self-respecting social climber.

And showing off your new Jimmy Choo shoes on the escalators at Harvey Nichols in Leeds is another prime social location.

Simon Howard was today reacting to the claims as "a bit of fun".

An assistant said he held around six dinner parties a year for up to 18 people and around 20 commercial shooting parties a year which were all paid for by the guests. The assistant said: "That will be why invitations are so sought after - because they are private and they are so few."

PICTURE: Simon Howard