TOURISM is booming in a North Yorkshire market city according to latest figures.

Members of Ripon City Partnership, which aims to spearhead the economic growth of the area, say they are "absolutely delighted" with tourist figures which show a marked upward trend.

A study carried out by a tourism consultancy firm shows that not only are more people visiting Ripon and its local attractions - including Fountains Abbey, Lightwater Valley, Ripon Cathedral and Newby Hall - but they are staying longer and consequently spending more.

Ripon city manager Jonathan Beer said: "We have been trying for some time to move from just day visitors to overnight stay visitors and latest figures from the independent study show tourist visitors spent 14 per cent more than the previous year."

There has also been a four per cent rise in spending on the city's bed and breakfast businesses, some of which have been given grants to upgrade.

Holiday cottages and caravans in the area reaped £11.5m for the local economy in 2002, against £8.4m the previous year - a 37 per cent rise.

Meanwhile, day visitors brought in £5.9m in 2002 against £5.2m, a 12 per cent rise.

Mr Beer said a lot of people had been working hard to ensure the success of Ripon, not only as an interesting place for tourists to visit, but also to stay.