THE "hidden secrets" of York are to be opened up to a wider audience after four of the city's historical attractions joined forces.

Eboracum Legion Bath House at the Roman Bath pub in St Sampson's Square; Barley Hall off Stonegate; the Richard III Museum at Monk Bar; and Micklegate Bar Museum have launched a joint promotion to raise tourists' awareness of their existence.

The Hidden Secrets Group is launching a major spring and summer publicity campaign involving the distribution of 30,000 leaflets.

Between them, the four attractions provide an insight into 1,700 years of York's history.

Co-ordinator Keith Mulhearn, who also operates Roamin Tours from the Roman Bath, says: "We are perhaps some of the less well-known attractions in the city, but our aim is to raise awareness of who we are and what we do, in the hope that more people can come and enjoy York's hidden secrets."

The venture has the support of Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd, the consortium seeking outline planning permission to create a new urban neighbourhood off Stonebow.

Phil Darcy, managing director of Crosby Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd, a key player in the consortium, along with Land Securities and Evans Property Group, said: "We saw the Hidden Secrets Group as a highly appropriate organisation to support, because the Hungate site dates from York's very beginnings, is rich in history and has many of its own hidden secrets waiting to be unearthed."

Meanwhile, children are being invited to participate in an Easter hunt with a difference at the Treasurer's House in York.

From April 12 to 27, excluding Fridays, youngsters can learn that tiny chicks are not the only animals to be found on the National Trust's popular Easter hunt at Minster Yard.

Youngsters will have to search among the building's 300-year-old furniture and 18th century oil paintings to track down the names of two animals who have eaten some of the organic chocolate eggs. Those who do can win an egg of their own.

The Easter hunt is free, but visitors will have to pay admission charges for the house. For further details phone 01904 624247.

At Beck Isle Museum, Pickering, chiefs are also getting into the Easter spirit with a hunt of their own.

Gordon Clitheroe, museum curator, will be hiding 12 eggs in the building for youngsters to find mornings and afternoons on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The museum is open between 10am and 5pm.

Updated: 09:56 Saturday, April 12, 2003