TOURISM chiefs in York still had smiles on their faces today despite the Bank Holiday downpours.

Shara Ross, chairman of the Hospitality Association said: "We have had an excellent Easter. The weather has not affected anything. Bookings were initially slow, with visitors booking quite late, but then they came all at once.

"People have still been able to get out and about and have had a wonderful time."

Hazel Hart, owner of the Holgate Hill Hotel, said: "We have been really busy. People have made the most of it despite the weather. Unfortunately nobody has got a sun tan."

Lesley Lockwood, of York Tourism Bureau, said: "It has been a great weekend with lots of visitors, despite the weather."

Weather experts are still predicting April could be the wettest since 1818.

A spokesman for PA weather centre said: "We have still got some way to go but it's a definite possibility."

He added the weather would stay unsettled with continued bursts of rain.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said there were no flood warnings. He added: "The showers have been very localised so the river systems have not been affected significantly.