TOURISM businesses in York were today urged to embrace the euro as one of the city's smallest museums began accepting the new European currency.

The Richard III Museum, housed in Monk Bar, has started accepting euros, giving change to tourists in sterling.

The move follows the drive by tourism chiefs to target European visitors and the gloomy outlook for tourism predicted by city economists last week, in the wake of September 11 and the foot and mouth outbreak.

Museum manager Mike Bennett said: "Perhaps York's future, tourism-wise, lies in attracting European visitors, rather than hoping that Americans start to return. The least we can do is attempt to make then feel welcome.

"It's unlikely that any European visitors to York will have no euros with them, so they may as well be encouraged to part with them."

He said he hoped other businesses would be encouraged to follow suit.

"Who really understands the full economic implications of a single currency? British opposition to the euro seems rooted in a 'Little England' attitude, or at worst, outright xenophobia."

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said several tourist attractions had started "tentatively" accepting euros, including the tourist information centre itself and York Boat.

"I would encourage any business to adopt this customer-friendly practice," she said.

"Anything we can do to welcome Europeans is very important, particularly at the moment.

"If they are coming across from countries that use the euro, and are expecting to use the euro - and some of them don't realise we don't have it - then anything to make it easier for them is definitely worth looking into.

"As time goes on it will become more important that this service is offered."

Mike said his euro-friendly standpoint accorded with that of King Richard himself.

"The Yorkist Richard III certainly adopted a conciliatory foreign policy. Unlike the Lancastrian Henry V, he didn't invade France," he said.

Updated: 11:38 Wednesday, March 13, 2002