Pub regulars held a massive celebration to push York's smallest hostelry into its third century after a council U-turn raised a glass to The Blue Bell.

The tiny pub on Fossgate couldn't hold more than 200 party-goers, who spilled out into the closed-off street to mark its 200th birthday.

And landlady Eileen Worrall said she was "relieved" that the pub, which has not had its interior changed for nearly 100 years, could have its age marked in style.

The celebrations went on well into the night despite City of York Council officials saying only days ago that they could not close the road.

But they bowed to pressure from the public eager to mark a pub which has been at the centre of York for centuries.

Mrs Worrall said: "I'm just very relieved for ourselves and for the regulars. The party was absolutely brilliant and it was a superb atmosphere. I knew every single person who was here.

"A lot of people love this pub because it is just a good old-fashioned place, with no juke boxes, no fruit machines. It's a community place where people come to meet friends."

Mrs Worrall handed out invitations to the pub regulars to help her celebrate the birthday. Guests had to buy raffle tickets with proceeds going to a charity which will be chosen by the locals.

She expected to raise more than £2,500.

Frank Bell, 78, who has been visiting the pub since 1936, said: "My mother and father drank here before me because we used to have a shop in the Shambles. I remember the first time I came here. I had a lemonade.

"It hasn't changed since. Only the toilets have changed. Apart from that it's the pub I have always known and it is great."

The street party was saved partly due to the action of York's Lord Mayor, Coun Derek Smallwood, who stepped in to help.

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