IT used to be a typical Northern city with a rich heritage gleaned from its textile, engineering and manufacturing industries. Leeds always had decent shops, museums and a good selection of pubs, but somehow it never quite achieved the stylish stature of its trendier neighbour Manchester.

Manchester had better shops, better clubs, better bars and people from trendier bands, from The Stone Roses to Oasis. It was a hard image to chase.

But Leeds has caught up with Manchester and in many ways is livelier, more prosperous and cosmopolitan than its old rival.

A weekend visit to the city revealed traditional Victorian architecture sharing the skyline with award winning modern office blocks - many home to the burgeoning law and accountancy firms which have earned Leeds the title of the fastest growing financial sector outside London.

Signs of the city's trendy status were clearly visible by the amount of bars and restaurants which have appeared, in particular over the past five years. The choice of high quality eateries was vast with all tastes and prices (Leeds has a very large student population) catered for.

A weekend hardly seemed long enough to explore what the city has to offer. There was barely time to follow the well-heeled around the ornate Victoria Quarter, Leeds' fashionable shopping area with names ranging from Vivienne Westwood to Karen Millen, before heading off to the imposing Harvey Nichols. A short walk away was the Victorian Grade I listed Corn Exchange, which houses a wonderful array of individual shops on two floors. Craft stalls display goods from jewellery and books to African art works and bonsai trees. (The latter sold to us by a lovely man who insisted on explaining, in great detail, how to look after our young tree. He must have known we were serial plant killers).

The city also boasts some of the best arts and sporting attractions in the North with Leeds United's ground at Elland Road less than a mile away and world famous Headingley Cricket Club about three miles out. The Royal Armouries, which traces the history of arms and armour from the 5th Century BC through to modern times, is also a popular destination.

Exhausted we headed back to the luxury of the Leeds Marriott, thankfully situated in the city centre, where a relaxing post-shopping drink or three in the hotel's John T's bar gave us enough energy to crawl to the lift.

Later, we sampled the hotel restaurant's impressive international cuisine and had the chance to try the indoor pool, sauna, and spa the following morning before breakfast - which is served until 11am at weekends.

* The Leeds Marriott has rooms for £36 per person per night including bed and breakfast, or £51 pppn for dinner, bed and breakfast. For a Marriott brochure contact 0800 444 878