TOURISM chiefs hope a wealth of winter events in York will ease the pressure on struggling heritage attractions.

Festivities such as the St Nicholas' Fayre taking place this weekend, the Christmas Early Music Festival and other Yuletide York activities will bring thousands of people to the city.

It is hoped the extra trade will provide a welcome boost to visitor centres after a difficult year.

Smaller heritage businesses say they have noticed falling attendance figures in 2005, as the Evening Press reported last Friday.

But Kay Hyde, PR manager for York Tourism Bureau, insisted: "The picture is not as gloomy as it was in the summer and more people have been coming into York since the autumn.

"If we take account of the extra trade in the last few months of 2005, we will probably find visitor numbers are much the same as last year."

The bureau has seen 347 coaches booked to come to the St Nicholas' Fayre, as opposed to just 237 last year, which are expected bring at least 14,000 visitors to the city.

"This is only part of the picture, as many coaches may arrive without booking, and other visitors travel by train. But it is a good early indication," said Ms Hyde.

At the Barley Hall medieval house visitor attraction off Stonegate, which has launched a £5,000 appeal to cover a shortfall in takings this year, a period craft fair is helping to boost trade.

Eileen Murphy, of the Richard III museum at Monkbar, said extra winter visitors were good news - but the business would be badly affected if cold weather forced the city walls to close.

York Tourism Bureau figures show that 71.8 per cent of beds were filled at hotels and guest houses in York during September, only slightly down on the 72.3 per cent in 2004.

And the bureau is confident average figures for the year will be in line with last year's total.

Ms Hyde said: "We've had a lot of successful events in the autumn - there was a problem with the fireworks, but other activities surrounding the Guy Fawkes' anniversary were extremely popular."

Some tourism businesses complained the city is being promoted in too many different ways - instead of focusing on its heritage.

But Ms Hyde said: "A survey we carried out during the food and drink festival showed the majority of people come to York specifically for these events.

"Festivals attract people to York who also visit historic buildings and spend money in the shops."

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, November 26, 2005