PEOPLE in York and North Yorkshire are not making the most of their weekends - but a picnic by the River Ouse could help, a survey has revealed.

Despite efforts by City of York Council to encourage residents and visitors to use the city's waterways, more than two-thirds of people spend their weekend on home improvements or shopping rather than relaxing by the river.

A national survey by Waterscape, a British Waterways company, which provides information on all of the country's waterways, says that not finding the time to unwind by water could be leaving people feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.

The survey showed that 61 per cent of people often felt they had not made the most of their weekends, while 83 per cent of those questioned said they felt most happy and relaxed. While by the waterside, whether picnicking by the river or sunbathing on the beach, 67 per cent spend their weekends involved in strenuous or stressful activities.

Fewer than a third of people said they felt relaxed and refreshed after their weekend.

York council's Leisure Scrutiny Board is working towards encouraging people to abandon their housework and DIY and spend some time on the city's waterways. Councillors have suggested a special rivers festival for the city and York could also benefit from improved facilities for boaters, new river walkways and cycle routes and a big graffiti and litter clean-up around the Foss and Ouse.

Leisure Scrutiny Board member Coun Brian Watson said more people needed to take advantage of York's rivers.

He said: "We have got to find a way of getting people to use the rivers more. There's a lot of free water in York.

"The Foss is a very under-rated river and plenty of leisure activities could take place there. It is a good, healthy river with lots of good spots for angling, which aren't taken advantage of."

British Waterways is holding an evening concert on August 9 on the River Ouse in York. Classical music will be provided by the British Waterways orchestra, who will play on a floating stage by Museum Gardens.

Updated: 08:51 Tuesday, July 29, 2003