A ROYAL visitor has been in North Yorkshire to boost the county's tourist trade.

The Duke of Kent toured the grounds and gardens of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, and Newby Hall, all near Ripon, yesterday.

The trip was part of the House of Windsor's Royal Tourism Day - a day to counter the negative effects on tourism following September 11, the war in Iraq and foot and mouth disease.

During his visit the Duke met children from Hampsthwaite School and presented long-service awards to Joan and Peter Garner, of Ripon, and John Milton, of Harrogate, who have worked for the National Trust for 20 years.

Meanwhile, the Queen visited Legoland, near Windsor, Prince Charles travelled to Scotland, and Prince Edward to Wales.

Updated: 10:16 Wednesday, June 11, 2003