THERE was one question being asked by visitors enjoying sitting out in the May sunshine on York city centre's new benches on Wednesday: why didn't we have more of these before?

In the last few weeks, outdoor seating has been springing up across the city centre: a tipi and funky coloured benches in Parliament Street; tables and benches - often accompanied by lovely planters with a bee design - in College Street, Duncombe Place, Exhibition Square and even Coppergate.

There was universal delight amongst people The Press spoke to on Wednesday at having somewhere to sit.

Sue Armitage recently moved from York to Harrogate, but had returned to the city to meet up with her friend Elaine Davies. They were sitting at one of the tables in Exhibition Square.

There was nothing like this when she left York just a short while ago, Sue said. She very much enjoyed sitting out on Harrogate's many public benches. "And people often said 'why doesn't York have more of these?' And then I come back for a visit and here they are!"

York Press:

Friends Elaine Davies, left, and Sue Armitage, relaxing in Exhibition Square

The seating has been put in by Make It York and the York Business Improvement District (BID) - Make It York did Parliament Street, while the BID put in the seats elsewhere around the city centre.

Taxi driver Alan Houchen and his wife Ann, regular visitors to York from Redcar, said normally it was hard to find somewhre to sit in the city centre. They liked the seats in Parliament Street. "This is nice. Colourful and a bit different!" Alan said.

Over in College Street, the Aked family - mum and dad Gina and Dominic, and son Jack, visiting his parents from Oxford - were equally delighted. "It is brilliant!" said Gina.

Students Darcie Crawford and Isabella Rockey, sitting at a bench in Duncombe Place, agreed. "It is nice to have somewhere to sit rather than just stand under a tree!" Darcie said.

York Press:

Students Darcie Crawford and Isabella Rockey in Duncombe Place, with the Minster behind