A MAJOR marketing strategy has been launched to entice more people to York.

Streets Ahead is aimed at bringing shoppers to the city, with three trails for them to follow.

The idea is to help visitors get to grips with the range of independent and unusual shops to be found in the city.

Scottish visitors will be a key target for the campaign, and by using a mix of publicity and mailshots, the city's tourism bureau aims to add £5m to the £100m spent annually on shopping by visitors.

Shopping is regarded as one of the key motivations for a visit to the city, and tourism bureau chief executive Gillian Cruddas said: "We firmly believe that York is streets ahead when it comes to offering individual and independent shops in a beautiful historic setting.

"No other city in the country can offer such superb surroundings for a shopping spree and we hope this new campaign will encourage many more visitors."

A guide to the shopping trails is available at www.vis ityork.org/shopping