FORGET Las Vegas and the sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean - North Yorkshire is set to become the international ideal wedding spot.

County bosses are drawing up plans to market the county across the world as the perfect place to tie the knot.

The plans could see thousands of eager couples from across the globe making a beeline for North Yorkshire, boosting local trade and tourism.

Historic spots such as Castle Howard, Beningbrough Hall and the Spa at Scarborough are already used by UK couples.

North Yorkshire already tops England's list of counties for the most weddings per head of population in civil 'approved' venues

But Stuart Pudney, of North Yorkshire County Council, says a wider market could exist in Europe and the USA.

"This is in its very early stages but we are keen to look into it because of the money which could potentially be drawn into the area," he said.

"We are in the process of contacting marketing agencies in different parts of the world to see what the potential is for promoting North Yorkshire as a place to get married.

"Besides potentially promoting the county world-wide, we will also be looking at ways of attracting more couples from the UK to the area.

"We already hold promotions at wedding fairs and through local tourist boards.

"The marketing strategy also includes 7,000 copies of the county's Getting Married In North Yorkshire brochure, which is brought out quarterly."

North Yorkshire could effectively cash in on its growing status around the world through television programmes and films.

Castle Howard is famed for being the location of the film Brideshead Revisited while Thirsk is known for All Creatures Great And Small.

"More recently we've had scenes from Harry Potter filmed on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway," said Mr Pudney.

"Goathland is used for the filming of Heartbeat - as a result they have become popular tourist attractions."

Funding for the promotion could come from a variety of sources, including Yorkshire Forward, councils and local businesses.

"Everything is still in its early days because we first have to find out first how marketable the area is for weddings," said Mr Pudney.

Updated: 11:48 Friday, December 28, 2001