IT LASTED less than 15 minutes, included a short blast of the National Anthem, and ended with a very English cup of tea.

York's first citizenship ceremony left Daniel Smit and Violeta Cooper beaming with red, white and blue pride.

Mr Smit, who hails from South Africa, and Mrs Cooper, originally from Macedonia, pledged allegiance to the Queen and British values of democracy and tolerance at yesterday's ceremony at York Register Office.

The country's first high-profile event took place in London in February.

Now up to 80 ceremonies are expected in York each year as part of plans to boost the significance of becoming a UK citizen.

Previously citizenship, costing £68, was confirmed at an appointment in front of a solicitor before a certificate was received in the post.

Yesterday Mr Smit, 40, of Wigginton, said he was honoured to help make York history.

"I'm thoroughly pleased to be accepted as a British citizen," said the welder, who has lived in York for 11 years.

Mr Smit attended the ceremony with wife, Jeanette, originally from Easingwold, whom he met when they worked at a South African gold company, and their two children.

Mrs Cooper, 25, of Poppleton Road, York, has lived in the city for more than two years.

The science student - 24 weeks pregnant - met her York-born husband, Rob, in Newbury, but soon "fell in love" with historic York.

She said: "I'm very proud to be involved in the ceremony. To be in the first group is very special.

"I came to England as a nanny and liked it so much I stayed here. Now I can finally call Britain my home."

Mr Smit and Mrs Cooper were presented with certificates and commemorative medals after yesterday's groundbreaking ceremony.

With the Union Jack flag in one corner and a portrait of the Queen in the other, the ceremony ended with a short blast of the National Anthem being piped in, before family, friends and the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Charles Hall, retired to a side room for a cup of tea.

Robert Livesey, registration service manager, said: "The Government want to make the ceremony a celebration of being British and we're happy to embrace it."

About 90,000 adult applicants each year successfully become British.

Updated: 09:27 Saturday, April 17, 2004