Viking battles, continental markets, live bands and an exotic Indian festival are to showcase York to the world during Royal Ascot.

Council chiefs have fleshed- out street festival plans to celebrate the five-day racing spectacular, expected to attract nearly 60,000 people a day to the racecourse in June.

Two months before the Royal event goes under starter's orders, Ascot "tsar" Shane Chalmers today rolled out a detailed timetable of entertainment.

Activities in Parliament Street, St Sampson's Square and Kings Square, start on Saturday, June 11, two days before the horse racing begins, and run for nine days until June 19.

Mr Chalmers, in a report to leading councillors, said: "These showcase events will demonstrate York as a vibrant and attractive city."

The entertainment will kick off on the Saturday with a Streets Alive family festival, featuring street theatre and circus skills workshops.

On Sunday the focus will be on visual arts featuring human statues, pavement drawings and possibly a sand carver.

The rest of the schedule will be:

Monday - A "spectacular" day showcasing York's history and heritage, including battle enactments between Vikings and Romans, medieval knight displays and history-themed street entertainment.

Tuesday - Continental market stalls from Germany, Holland, Belgium and France selling fine wine and food.

Wednesday/Thursday - The Continental market expands to include Yorkshire crafts and street entertainment.

Friday/Saturday - A Yorkshire market takes centre stage, showcasing the region's tastiest food. Top local bands fuel the fun atmosphere on Saturday.

Sunday - A mini mela festival comes to York, including music, dance, entertainment and an Indian market selling authentic Asian food and drink.

Development agency Yorkshire Forward has stumped up £650,000 for Royal Ascot in York. Half this amount will go to York Racecourse - and the rest will help the council fund its programme of events.

Meanwhile, the report also updates members on what would happen if there was a major emergency at the racecourse.

A command centre, based at the council's CCTV monitoring room at Fulford Road, would be used and the report added that a "table top" trial will be conducted at the racecourse ahead of the Royal meeting.

In a separate development, Mr Chalmers said 120 possible locations for festival signs have been found.

Inspections of these street lamp locations have taken place, with the signs due to be put up in May ready to direct punters to the course.

The Ascot update report will be discussed by City of York Council's executive on Tuesday.

Updated: 10:34 Thursday, April 14, 2005