BATHING beauty Katie Craven made a splash when she sponged down in York city centre today.

The 19-year-old model put on a show for shoppers in Parliament Street as she took the plunge in the street's fountain.

Katie, who holds the crown of Miss Nottingham, heads to Istanbul to compete for the title of Model of the Universe.

But first she headed to York to publicise the National Lottery's £20 million jackpot this weekend.

City centre resident Wilf Wilson said: "That's certainly not the sort of thing you expect to see on Parliament Street, but you always hope to. Every fountain should have one."

And Dutch visitor Ron Gerrisse said: "It's a lovely day and there's a lovely view. It couldn't be better."

Katie said: "It was freezing, but I wasn't bothered about that. I was more concerned about slipping over."

Updated: 15:23 Tuesday, October 30, 2001