WE already know York is the best little city in Europe.

Soon, our Continental friends may be forced to agree.

The city is one of three shortlisted as European Tourism City of the Year.

We're up against Gothenburg and Valencia for the accolade.

Fine cities, we're sure. But we remain quietly optimistic. After all, it is hard to see how any city that's home to the Marmadukes Hotel can go wrong.

A year ago, the St Peter's Grove hotel was a backpackers hostel.

Today, it has been catapulted into the A-list of York hotels, winning a four-star rating from the AA. Four-midable indeed. Just like York itself.