PEOPLE in York may have long known it, but Shambles has now been officially crowned as Britain’s most picturesque street.

It was one of three streets in the city to take honours in the Google Street View Awards competition to find the country’s best streets.

More than 11,000 Britons are said to have voted throughout a three-week period, and Shambles was named most picturesque, with Royal Crescent in Bath coming second and Grey Street in Newcastle third.

Ian Addyman, owner of Past Images photography shop in Shambles, said: “Shambles is a timeless street full of historic charm, and whatever time of year you come here there is something different to see.

“There is a real feeling of community amongst shop owners and I think we all feel privileged to work in such a beautiful place.

“The shops here are all strikingly different and unique.

“Most people say that if you visit York, then at some point you will walk down Shambles. It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why.”

York was also well-placed in two other categories in the competition run by the Google website.

Stonegate came second in the Best Fashion Street category – Milsom Street in Bath came first and King’s Road in London third – and Fossgate took third place in the Best Foodie Street.

Google will now work with the winning streets to offer a special online guide of the streets, allowing the world to find out more about the nation’s top choices and highlighting the key retailers and points of interest. Ed Parsons, of Google, said: “The Google Street View Awards are aimed at celebrating the many fantastic streets that Britain has to offer, and the results reveal a diverse cultural landscape of food, fashion and beauty that puts the winning towns firmly on the map.”