DRAGON boats and naval destroyers were the focus of attention in York at weekend.

While basking in the summer sun, the city also saw streets paved with gold, the Hulk run riot at a shopping centre and a new totem pole unveiled in one of the city's biggest public birthday parties.

The company of HMS York exercised its right of freedom of the city after returning from the conflict in Iraq, marching through the streets with bayonets and drawn swords, accompanied by a Royal Marine band.

Commander Richard Powell said: "It is with great pride and honour that we come ashore to exercise our freedom of the city. We have sailed some 80,000 miles and spent more than 350 days at sea, including our work in Iraq, since we were last here."

Some of the sailors could not drag themselves away from the water, marking their special day of freedom by joining in the city's day of dragon boat racing on the Ouse.

Thousands of people lined the banks of the river yesterday to watch the racing.

The Great York Dragon Boat Challenge - organised by the Rotary Club of York - saw 30 teams battle it out between Scarborough and Lendal Bridges to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice.

The heart of York was paved with gold - or at least copper - when the British Heart Foundation took to the streets to raise funds. The York branch of the charity raised funds for heart research by encouraging passers-by to lay a trail of coins around the Minster.

The first coins - replica Roman coins - were laid by TV presenter Adam Tomlinson, with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of York, Coun Chas Hall, and his wife, Janice, laying coins on behalf of City of York.

The launch of new movie Hulk was celebrated at Monk's Cross Shopping Centre, York.

Hulk lookalikes, a giant inflatable model, plus face-painters and prizes for the scariest Hulk roar sent shock waves through the shopping park.

One of the city's biggest public birthday celebrations was enjoyed as Rowntree Park turned 82 yesterday.

The cutting of the birthday cake was performed by the city's favourite panto dame, Berwick Kaler

The party saw live music, crafts, charity stalls, and even an oriental rickshaw taxi organised for party-goers.

Besides the birthday celebrations, the party also marked the finishing touches of the programme of restoration which has been going on at the park.

Hundreds of people turned out for the eventful gala at Thorpe Willoughby, near Selby.

Updated: 09:50 Monday, July 14, 2003