THOUSANDS of weary commuters using the London Underground each day are successfully being persuaded to come to Yorkshire for their holidays.

The Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB) said that its advertising campaign in Underground stations has resulted in a big response.

Forty-eight per cent of e-mail inquirers were aged between 25 and 44 - a much younger group than average, said Joanna Royle, head of strategic marketing.

She said that while traditional methods of advertising through the media were still paying dividends, technology promotions were proving a big success.

About 60 per cent of all inquiries converted into actual visits by tourists, while 63 per cent of people wanting information through YTB's website spent holidays in the county.

The most popular place was York, where 23 per cent of visitors stayed, 21 per cent in the county's market towns, 20 per cent in the Yorkshire Dales, and 16 per cent in the coastal resorts.

While 28 per cent stayed in hotels, and a further 23 per cent in guesthouses, 26 stayed in self-catering accommodation, said Ms Royle.

The most popular activities proved to be city walking and sight-seeing - 70 per cent - shopping, 69 per cent, and eating out, 56 per cent.

"As a result of the image campaign carried out on the London Underground and our focused marketing of Yorkshire, the holiday guide has been read by a greater proportion of people who have never thought of coming to Yorkshire," said Ms Royle