VIKING enthusiasts came to York in bigger numbers this year than ever before, according to tourist figures released today.

The total of visitors attracted to the city for the recent Jorvik Festival was three per cent higher than it was for last year's event.

And the numbers had a knock- on effect on attractions across the city, building hopes that 2003 will be an extremely successful year for tourism.

During the week of the festival, held last month, English Heritage reported admission numbers to Clifford's Tower at times trebling the average of last year.

Sam Duncalf, the tower's custodian, said: "We've never seen it so busy.

"You could see a huge difference in the promotion of the festival and how well it was organised this year." The city's museums also saw visitor numbers rise.

And YorkBoat reported an excellent response to themed Viking Voyages, with queues of people waiting to board.

"This year's festival has to be our best yet," said festival organiser Janet Burrows.

"All ticketed events were sold out. These figures prove what a great draw the Viking Festival is and we're delighted that it has been such a huge success for the city as a whole."

Gillian Cruddas, the chief executive of the York Tourism Bureau, said: "We're delighted the Viking Festival has been such a great success.

"Increasingly, our visitors will plan their trip to York around the city's events programme and this festival really gets the tourism season off to a great start.

"Hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops, pubs, bars and cafs all benefit from the increase in visitor numbers and York's events programme is getting better and better every year."

She said the city was preparing for another Viking-based event at Easter, with the Fearsome Craftsmen exhibition at Jorvik.

Updated: 16:00 Tuesday, March 11, 2003