THE Railway King discovered a new way of bringing visitors to his home city yesterday - and it was a world away from the steam-driven communications of his day.

George Hudson, who brought the railways to York in the 19th Century, came back to life briefly, to see what attracts the travellers in this day and age.

His return, played by actor Gary Goldthorpe, was organised by the city's First Step tourism partnership to help launch their website, www.visityork.org, which has been designed to be used by millions of people across the UK and overseas.

Key benefits of the site include dedicated sections for different audiences, offering help to potential visitors but also to tour operators, travel agents, conference organisers and the media.

Yesterday's launch was carried out at the city's high-tech City Screen cinema - itself an example of how new investment has been ringing the changes in York.

The chief executive of the York Tourism Bureau, Gillian Cruddas, said: "For the first time our key travel trade contacts can access the information they require at the touch of a button.

"The new website will be an important marketing tool which will bring essential new travel trade group and conference business to the city."