IT'S normally full of backpackers, students and young families.

But a tourist youth hotel in York is reserving bunk beds just for racegoers when Royal Ascot hits the city next summer.

Stately homes, five-star hotels, picturesque country cottages, luxury flats and multi-bedroom townhouses all grace the pages of an Internet site aimed at helping wealthy punters secure accommodation for the prestigious event.

Prices have soared into tens of thousands of pounds to secure a luxury pad for the five-day meeting, which will attract the cream of high society to York.

However, the appearance of the York Youth Hotel on the web page might raise a few eyebrows among the well-heeled top hat and tail brigade.

Owner Charles Stuart today told the Evening Press the 100-bed hostel - featuring TV room, laundry, showers and a night porter - was great value for money.

Prices are currently standing at £50 per night per person for the five-day racing event, compared with the £15-£25 that backpackers are usually charged.

Mr Stuart said: "It's basic accommodation. It's not The Ritz, but it's convenient, clean, somewhere to sleep and very good value for money."

He said the premises, in Bishophill Senior, off Micklegate, was ideally located for a night on the tiles after a day at the races.

With an estimated 50,000 punters a day set to flock to the city for Ascot, he hopes plenty of people will be eager to snap up spaces in the dorms. The owner said: "We normally get quite a few racegoers when York Races are on because we are so close to the city centre.

"I think it's affordable - but we are certainly not looking to attract the top hat and tail boys.

"We have to put prices up for Ascot because I'm presuming that beds are going to be at a premium in York."

The hostel has mainly twin rooms, but also provides shared accommodation.

It has two, four, six, ten and 20-bed rooms or dorms.

Neil Boddy, of the ascot-lets website which is advertising the hostel, said: "I think people will be interested.

"I think the luxury accommodation and places like this can co-exist - it's horses for courses."

Updated: 10:03 Monday, September 13, 2004