YORK city centre endured its busiest shopping weekend of the year as the Christmas countdown kicked into gear.

Hundreds of coaches squeezed into St George's Field Car Park which was closed to all other vehicles to cope with the numbers.

But many motorists complained of being unable to find a space in car parks elsewhere.

The festive crush was largely caused by people descending on the popular St Nicholas Fayre, now in its 11th year.

Old-fashioned Victorian stalls filled Parliament Street making it so busy with shoppers that it was difficult to walk through.

Period instruments were played at a medieval market in Barley Hall.

Adam Sinclair, chairman of the York Chamber of Trade, said the weekend highlighted the need to retain existing parking facilities.

"It was a terrific weekend despite the weather conditions," he said. "Our car parking has got to cater for these busy times."

Linda Gray, manager of Fenwicks in the Coppergate Centre, said: "We've been extremely busy - it's lovely to see it get so full."

A spokesman for City of York Council said: "The St Nicholas Fayre weekend is always the busiest of the year and the city was indeed extremely

busy on Saturday with the city's car parks and Park&Ride full to capacity for much of the day, although yesterday was quieter.

"Because of the huge popularity of the occasion we always set aside extra parking for coaches on St Nicholas Fayre weekend with 450 pre-booked alone this year bringing thousands of shoppers into the city centre.

"Clearly, we have to strike a balance between providing car parking and coach parking but it would be difficult for any city centre to provide the kind of capacity demanded at the weekend.

"However, that is not to say the council is not trying. The council is working to expand the number of Park&Ride sites from four to seven over the next few years and has worked to extend the running of the service into Sundays, all of which is aimed at boosting capacity and spreading parking demand."

Updated: 12:16 Monday, December 02, 2002