SCRAPPING admission charges has seen a huge surge in the number of people visiting a popular York attraction.

The National Railway Museum, in Leeman Road, saw almost 15,000 more people visit in December last year than in the same month in 2000.

It was the museum's highest number of visitors since 1976, when admission was also free. Charges were introduced in 1987.

The NRM's £7.50 adult admission charge was scrapped after Chancellor Gordon Brown plugged a loophole in VAT laws.

A spokeswoman for the NRM said: "Obviously we are delighted and hope this will continue. There was a real buzz about the place in the pre-Christmas period.

"We have been voted European Museum of the Year, and free admission means many more people can now come and enjoy the attraction."

Though national museums had long campaigned to be able to let visitors in free, previous tax laws would have meant they lost out financially.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, also welcomed the increase in numbers.

She said: "This is good news for York. It is an added incentive to come to the city, and it strengthens the message that York is good value for money."

Several other museums across the country said visitor numbers had doubled since charges were abolished at the start of last month, with some saying numbers had increased fourfold.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "These figures show what a spectacular success the scrapping of admission charges to our great national collections has been."

She said charges had acted as a restraint to many people, particularly families, in visiting museums, but now, like going to a park or taking a stroll, the pleasure was once again free.

She said: "Free admission has democratised the nation's treasures, making them accessible to all. That has to be good for our children, for students and for those who simply want to enjoy these wonderful exhibits."

Updated: 11:20 Monday, January 07, 2002