Today we show you why we really ARE Proud to be York.

Over the last few months, a legion's of York's finest have been beavering away to make sure our city looks its very best.

Under the banner of the Evening Press Proud to be York campaign, they have worked hard on a range of improvement schemes for the city.

So, on the eve of Yorkshire Day, we announce the winners.

The competition was divided into four categories: Best School Project, sponsored by the Midland Bank

Best Residential Project, sponsored by Do It All

Best Tourism Project, sponsored by York Waterworks and its subsidiary York Gas

Best Business Project, sponsored by the Great North Eastern Railway In any competition, there has to be a winner. Our Proud to be York competition is no different.

The judges decided, after lengthy consideration, that the winner of the tourism category should be York Model Railway for its commitment to promoting the city to tourists and for the floral displays outside the miniature rail enthusiast's paradise.

The business category went to Janet Kitchen for York's first private public lavatory, while Moss Street Community Group won the residential category for its plan to transform an old tram yard.

Badger Hill Primary School was the winner of the schools category for efforts to create a quiet patio area in the corner of the school field.

Evening Press editor Liz Page admitted today that it had been a difficult task selecting the winners from the host of public-spirited people and firms who had taken part.

She said: "We thought the judges would have a tough job and they have.

"Congratulations to the winners and to all those who entered into the spirit of Proud to be York.

"This is not the end of the campaign because now we need to get everybody behind Proud to be York at Christmas to make sure there's a great festive spirit in the city this year."

The campaign, which aimed to make the City of York a more beautiful, clean and welcoming place, was launched in April in the wake of the Ecofin conference.

Many people commented on how attractive York looked during the weekend European finance summit, and we decided it would be an excellent idea if the city presented its prettiest face all year round.

The winner of each category will receive £500 and a trophy, while every entrant will be given a Proud to be York certificate.

On behalf of the judges, Robert Beaumont of the Evening Press said: "All of us agreed that the entries we received were absolutely first class, and that does not just apply to those who were short-listed.

"It was extremely heartening to see how much effort so many people had put into the campaign.

"It is sad in many ways that there can only be four winners, but I would like to think that everyone who entered our campaign with their imaginative schemes should regard themselves as winners."

see COMMENT 'Let pride in city shine on'

see NEWS 'Lights appeal for Christmas'

see PROUD TO BE YORK for more information on the winners and the campaign as a whole.

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