IN a city famed for its history, a 1960s suburban pub may not seem an obvious tourist destination.

But one York watering hole could soon be welcoming new hordes of curious drinkers - after being added to a guide to Yorkshire's classic historic pubs.

The Dick Turpin in Woodthorpe was opened only in 1965 but it has been singled out as a surprisingly-rare example of its era. While many other twentieth-century pubs have been rearranged, redeveloped or demolished, the pub in Moorcroft Road has remained virtually unchanged.

It is one of only a handful of additions to the new Yorkshire's Real Heritage Pubs, which was launched in Leeds yesterday.

Editor Dave Gamston, from York, said archaeology students from the University of York had been asked to wade through building records for all pubs built in York after the Second World War, to find out which had undergone fewest changes.

He said: "They came up with the discovery of The Dick Turpin. The lay-out is essentially the same as it always was and quite a few of its fittings are as they were in 1965, and we think it is worthy of note for that reason."

It will now rub shoulders in the guide with 118 other pubs from across Yorkshire, including famous York ones including The Swan, The Minster Inn, The Blue Bell and The Olde Starre Inne and The Black Swan.

Other new additions are The Masons Arms in Northallerton and the Haworth Arms in Hull, although others have been removed where there have been changes affecting a pub's historic integrity. The most notable loss is The Eagle at Skerne in East Yorkshire, which was turned into a house despite a long campaign by Camra.

Alan King, landlord of The Dick Turpin, said he was pleased it had been added to the book and hoped to attract new customers. He said: "This is a very friendly local drinkers' pub with lots going on - we have darts, dominoes, and pool, and it's a hidden place that people maybe do not know much about."

The book is a full-colour guide to pubs that still have interiors or features of historical significance. It also laments how many such pubs have been lost or changed.

Mr Gamston said: "We believe it will have wide appeal as an enjoyable and informative guidebook for locals and visitors to Yorkshire. At the same time we hope it will provide a serious working reference – and wake up call! – for the people and official bodies who control the destinies of Yorkshire’s pubs”

The book is published by the Campaign For Real Ale and was launched yesterday at Whitelocks pub in central Leeds yesterday, by Greg Mulholland MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Save The Pub Group. It is £4.99 and is available from some of the features pubs, bookshops or by phoning 01727 867201.