GLORIOUS weekend weather saw residents and visitors step outside to take full advantage of the sunshine.

As temperatures peaked at 14C to 16C across the region yesterday - above average for the time of year - it gave people the perfect excuse to stroll around York city centre enjoying the warmth or to head for the coast with the family.

The roads in and around York were busy all weekend, with car parks across the city filling quickly.

Roads leading to the North Yorkshire coast were also busy, although there were no reported congestion problems.

Scarborough, Whitby and Filey saw hundreds of visitors take to the beaches, although temperatures there were slightly cooler than inland.

A spokesman for Scarborough Borough Council said the weekend was a real boost for local businesses.

He said: "It was an exceptionally early season weekend. When we get a weekend of very warm spring temperatures, it's a bonus.

"The car parks were exceptionally busy for the time of year and many people were down on the beach walking the sea front. It was just like a summer's day."

A spokesman for AA Roadwatch said: "It was really nice weather right across the weekend and it was noticeably a bit busier on the roads than normal."

A spokesman for the PA Weather Centre said: "It was dry and sunny, and it would have been the warmest weekend of the year so far in many parts."

Updated: 10:22 Monday, March 24, 2003