YORK "houses" fewer empty homes than the national average - while North Yorkshire has almost double.

Although the national average of vacant homes in the UK is four per cent, only 3.1 per cent of York properties are vacant.

Research by national union GMB, detailing figures for Yorkshire and Humberside, revealed a staggering 6.4 per cent of homes in North Yorkshire are empty, beaten only by Kingston-upon-Hull, with 6.8 per cent.

Kevin Hollinrake, director of Hunters estate agents, thought the amount of holiday homes in North Yorkshire could have added to the increase.

He said: "Perhaps the reason North Yorkshire has more vacant properties than York is that North Yorkshire is made up of many small villages, where there are likely to be a lot of holiday homes that could be vacant throughout the year.

"You don't often see very many vacant properties in York, there are no really run-down areas where properties are bordered up. There are areas in cities such as Bradford that are depressed in terms of property values and need renovation - they might be vacant and boarded up."

GMB's research showed there were 16,271 empty properties in North Yorkshire, compared to York's 2,479.

Bradford polled over the average with 6.3 per cent, followed by Calderdale, with 4.7 per cent. The statistics included second homes and holiday properties.

Sue Sunderland, City of York Council's executive member for housing, said she was pleased York fared well, but thought there were still issues to be addressed.

She said: "We are very pleased that a relatively small amount of properties lie vacant in York, but we do currently have 4,000 people on the waiting list.

"There are council initiatives to further reduce letting times, but the real issue is the lack of affordable properties.

"We are looking to reinvigorate upper floors of shops, which has been attempted before, but hopefully this time to a greater extent."

Updated: 09:01 Wednesday, June 11, 2003