North Yorkshire's tourist attractions have once again proved they have huge pulling power.

The replica of Stephenson's Rocket was in steam at Pickering Railway Station as part of the gala weekend on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Flamingo Land and York Minster were today celebrating following the publication of the 1998 English Tourist Board figures for the country's most popular tourist attractions.

The Pickering-based North Yorkshire Moors Railway was the number one steam railway attraction in the country, with 275,800 visitors - more than 60,000 ahead of its nearest competitor, the Severn Valley Railway.

Jane Lethbridge, marketing manager at the railway, said: "Obviously we are delighted. We are always striving to improve on everything we offer.

"Hopefully this is the way things will stay in the future."

Mrs Lethbridge expressed little surprise that the Moors Railway had beaten high-profile competitors like the Severn Valley Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway, which is based at Porthmadog, North Wales.

She said: "At the end of the day, we have the best scenery out of any of the preserved railways - we have that gift."

Meanwhile, Flamingo Land, at Kirby Misperton, was ranked the 12th most popular attraction charging admission in Britain, with 1,105,000 visitors, compared with 1,103,000 in 1997.

The theme park and zoo also made the top 10 leisure parks and piers in the country, placed 10th. Melanie Gibb, marketing director for Flamingo Land, said: "Yet again, Flamingo Land theme park and zoo can report an increase in admission figures for 1998 and, by looking at the table, we are very proud to maintain our position as the UK's number one privately-owned theme park, based upon theme parks charging admission."

York Minster attracted an estimated two million visitors in 1998, putting it second only to Westminster Abbey as the most visited cathedral or church in the country.

Placed fifth in the top farm attractions in the country was the base of ice cream maker Brymor at High Jervaulx Farm, Masham.

Vikings invade the city

by Caroline Radford and Adam Nichols

A real blast from the past put a gala weekend on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on the right track as a replica of Stephenson's Rocket steamed in to take part in the festivities.

The Pickering-based attraction is the top steam railway in the country and is always guaranteed to pull in the crowds.

This Bank Holiday weekend seems to be no exception with families flocking to experience a slice of railway history.

In York morris dancers marked May Day in Acomb's West Bank Park. Brightly dressed dancing teams entertained visitors - and brave spectators were offered the chance to test their skills in the traditional dance which dates back to the 15th century

The spectacle was performed by the Ebor and Acorn Morris Dancers at the park's Lazy May Day event.

After nearly dying out last century, morris dancing is enjoying a revival in England and there are currently about 500 registered teams.

Craig Wagstaff of the Axholmr Viking Re-enactment Group which set up camp in the Yorkshire Museum Gardens, York, for the May Viking Festival

Meanwhile, in the Yorkshire Museum Gardens, Vikings set up camp as part of the city's Vapnatak festival, giving spectators a colourful insight into the way the invaders lived and worked 1,000 years ago.

The city has long turned out to see the Vikings in more martial mood at the Jolablot festival held in February, but Vapnatak puts a spotlight on culture and history.

Story-telling, cooking and crafts were all brought to life by the Viking re-enactment group - although swords still clashed in the streets with the occasional fight.

Another raucous group of raiders was also rampaging round the city as children and parents from the Steiner School dressed as pirates to drum up trade for their spring fair.

And in Ryedale, Scouts and Guides from the Northern Ryedale Venture Group converged on the River Rye, at Harome, for their annual camp, taking part in a variety of outdoor activities, including canoeing.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.