PUNTERS could be taking to the River Ouse if a York company's ambitious Ascot transport plans get off the ground.

York Incoming think it can ferry up to 3,000 passengers a day to and from York Racecourse by boat when the horseracing festival comes to the city in June.

Managing director Dave Martin said his company had teamed up with Acaster Malbis firm Riverline Cruises to offer racegoers a pleasant boat trip from Skeldergate to a purpose-built new mooring near the former Terry's factory.

Mr Martin said his firm, which is a York tour operator, is also negotiating with a second boat company to expand its fleet.

At present, the plans would mean a trio of boats - each capable of carrying 100 people - would depart on regular intervals from a mooring in Skeldergate to the racecourse.

He said the company also planned an "early arrivals" service which would take tourists on a trip around town before racing began.

"The concept of a river shuttle to the racecourse isn't exactly rocket science," said Mr Martin.

"The hard bit was figuring out how to make it work and getting through all the red tape and disinterest.

"There are still a lot of formalities to be settled with regards to the environment and local authority issues but we are optimistic that all of these will be resolved in time.

Mr Martin said he had spent more than a year working on this scheme, since the news was announced that York Racecourse was to host Royal Ascot in June this year.

Richard Dearlove, owner of Riverline Cruises, said: "We are 100 per cent behind this scheme to provide an Ascot mooring service.

"We are in discussion with the Environment Agency for providing a mooring down at Terry's and that is going through at the moment.

"We are pleased to back this scheme and we are also looking at the future to see if we could use the mooring for future race meetings."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "We are in discussions with a number of companies who are looking to use the river to transport racegoers.

"A former mooring near the Terry's factory may be bought back into use on a temporary basis, depending on the necessary consents being obtained from the council, British Waterways and the Environment Agency."

Updated: 08:51 Monday, February 21, 2005