York Model Railway is the latest local organisation to get on track with our Proud To Be York campaign.

The miniature railway enthusiast's paradise, based in Tea Room Square, next to York Railway Station, is the first attraction train travelling tourists see when they arrive in the city.

Dubbed the city's biggest little attraction, it has now joined our crusade to make York a more bright and colourful place all the year round.

General manager Ellen Holding said the exhibition was delighted to give our campaign its support.

"If everyone does their little bit York will be so much tidier," she said.

"We want to brighten up our corner of the station, introducing planters, plants and possibly hanging baskets.

"We already have lights in our windows but we also would like to introduce some new things."

Ellen said it was hoped miniature trains could run along tracks in the windows to attract visitors before they head towards the city centre. And she agreed first impressions count.

"We offer tourist information for the rest of the city," she said. "People stepping off the trains will often ask us where they should go."

The Evening Press's Proud To Be York campaign is designed to make the city of York look a more beautiful, cleaner and more welcoming place.

It came in the wake of the Ecofin conference in March, when the city looked at its very best.

Our campaign has been backed by the York-based railway companies GNER and Railtrack, the DIY company Do It All, the Midland Bank and York Waterworks, with its subsidiary York Gas.

Together these companies have offered prizes worth £500 in four different categories for the best project to clean up and enhance the city of York.

Judging will take place during the summer and the results will be announced on Yorkshire Day, August 1.

Click here for other Proud to be York stories

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