WITH soaring temperatures, York Races and England's most important football match for several years, York is bracing itself for what could be its busiest weekend so far this year.

A spokesman for the PA Weather Centre, said it will be hot and sunny all weekend with Saturday being the best day to dig out your swimsuits and head for the beach.

Temperatures will range between 24C and 27C inland and as warm on the coast with some hazy high-level cloud.

On Sunday the temperatures inland are set to rise even higher to a maximum of 30C with clear blue skies while on the coast a moderate south easterly wind could reduce temperatures to around 22C.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "In the height of summer visitors and citizens alike can mess about on the river, catch the sun in the Museum Gardens and of course relax at York's pavement cafs. The weather forecast sounds like great news for the local tourism industry."

James Brennan, marketing manager, of York Racecourse, said he expected the June meeting, which started today, to be popular.

He said: "We'll be looking at around 9,000 people and tomorrow there should be around 25,000."

York Police have extra patrols on duty both for the England v Germany match and the races.

A massive security operation was swinging into action today ahead of England's crucial Euro 2000 clash against its old rivals.

More than 3,000 police officers, including 120 on horseback, were set to patrol the streets and squares of the tough industrial town of Charleroi in Belgium, where the countries meet tomorrow night.