'Let the world come to Ascot'

Speaking at the racecourse, Lord Halifax said he wanted to see Knavesmire full of people "from the first furlong down" when the five-day festival of racing arrives in 2005 or 2006.

In March, the Evening Press reported how a maximum of 50,000 people would be allowed to attend on each day of the five-day meeting.

Lord Halifax said this limit referred to "racecourse enclosures only" and added that Knavesmire could cope with up to 200,000.

James Brennan, York Racecourse marketing director, said while the wish among everyone at York was to make Royal Ascot an "inclusive" event, the issue of common land on Knavesmire would require careful consideration and scrutiny.

Lord Halifax said: "The really important thing to get in our minds is that we are welcoming people from all over the country. We don't want people to think they are being excluded because of this safety figure.

"There's more than enough room than we need on Knavesmire for another 200,000 people. Please don't think that the crowds will be limited and no one else will be able to come in."

Such an attendance would make Royal Ascot at York the biggest sporting event the city has seen in recent times. In 1945, 200,000 were at the course when the St Leger was run there. City of York Council owns Knavesmire, which York Racecourse rents from the authority during its season.

A council spokesman said: "We have already set safety standards in terms of the enclosures, but are very aware that the use of the open spaces on Knavesmire also needs to be managed.

"People have rights of access across the land, but we have to look at the way the whole area is likely to be used during the event. The safety and travel needs of these people are very much part of our plans for the event, and we

need to consider all potential problems so that they can be minimised."

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, May 05, 2004