MORE than 1,700 locals flocked to the City of York Council’s new offices during the Resident’s Festival.

The festival offers residents free and discounted entry to many attractions to thank them for welcoming the seven million tourists who visit each year.

Coun Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “For the first time ever the new City of York Council offices and customer centre were open for residents to step inside. 1,734 residents took a look inside the creatively-refurbished and extended Grade II listed railway station, which now houses the new customer contact centre and specially-commissioned pieces of public art.”

The council also confirmed that 1,560 people visited the Mansion House over the weekend, the highest number of guests in the 18 years it has participated in the event.