THE great Easter getaway was getting under way today, as holidaymakers began jetting abroad to escape jams and queues.

Travel agents said travellers were getting out - and staying out - of York over the long weekend.

Paul Smith, director of Quartz Travel, in Heworth Road, said: "There are a lot of York residents getting away from the city over the Easter period.

"Long-haul holidays in particular are flying off the shelves. Many people will be leaving on Thursday or Friday and taking all the following week off, which gives them plenty of time away.

"South Africa is a very popular destination at this time of the year. The weather is fantastic, and because it's only an hour's time difference you don't have to spend long getting over the jet lag. Egypt has been another favourite, probably also because of the sun."

The weather in Britain, however, looks set to take a turn for the worse.

Forecaster Claire Austin, of PA Weather Centre, said: "Friday and Saturday are looking like quite nice days, mainly dry with light winds and sunny spells in North Yorkshire and across the rest of country.

"Unfortunately Sunday and Monday will be more unsettled, with cloud and outbreaks of rain in many places."

North Yorkshire Police, meanwhile, urged residents not to totally focus on their excursions.

A police spokesman said: "In all the excitement of planning your trip, it's easy to forget that opportunistic burglars might be waiting to take advantage while you're away. Indeed, nearly half of all burglaries take place when the houses are empty for a while."

Holidaymakers have also been warned to expect queues and delays on the roads and railways.

GNER replacement coaches will operate from Saturday until Monday between York, Darlington, Durham and Newcastle, with only limited services on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman urged motorists to drive carefully.

She said from today two lanes in both directions will once more be open all day on the A64 at Bilbrough Top, between York and Tadcaster, although a 40mph speed limit will be in force.

Work will resume after the Easter weekend, which will mean a brief return to single lane carriageways during parts of the day.

Residents leaving the county are set to be replaced by tourists heading in, as York and North Yorkshire prepare for their busiest tourist weekend of the year so far.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "Of course Easter is very early this year, and some businesses have been asking me if we have had a long enough gap since Christmas.

"But the phones have been ringing, the emails have been coming in and we are expecting a very busy weekend."

Updated: 10:21 Wednesday, March 23, 2005