CITY leaders are to appoint an Ascot "tsar" to help make this year's key Royal event a success, amid claims they are struggling to manage the mammoth task.

With less than six months to go to what is widely regarded as the premier event of the racing calendar, it emerged today that the majority of work the council needs to do has yet to begin.

Event organisers stressed it was only to be expected that the bulk of the council's preparations would not begin until the last few months. But critics claim the authority has been caught short. Officers have identified a "to-do" list of 470 tasks, including traffic management, street cleaning and organising entertainment ahead of the five-day event. But by the start of this month, only 123 were either completed or under way.

City of York Council now wants a key individual to work full-time for six months to keep many of its Ascot plans on track.

It has also emerged that a bid has been made to Yorkshire Forward for almost £600,000 towards the five-day festival, expected to attract as many as 100,000 people a day to York in June.

Plans include a nine-day entertainment extravaganza, covering two weekends between June 11 and 19, and proposals to drape the city in banners.

Ideas include creating a "festival atmosphere" in the city centre through an acrobat and trapeze spectacular, children's games, themed markets, street theatres and a headline history day.

Another £20,000 has been set aside for street banners, while special litter sweeps are planned for Dringhouses, Woodthorpe, Micklegate and Guildhall wards.

A list of 100 roadside improvements in Knavesmire area has also been drawn up.

News about the lack of completed tasks today triggered questions about the council's preparations.

Labour Group leader Dave Merrett said "far too much" appeared to have been left to the last minute - and it was worrying that a 'tsar' was only now being considered.

But a Guildhall spokeswoman said: "As Royal Ascot gets closer, the need for a dedicated post to co-ordinate and oversee the work of the different project groups has become more important.

"The level of work required by the council will increase in the run-up. It is hoped the creation of the new post will help the city maximise the benefits of the five-day festival."

Council leader Steve Galloway said meetings with key city players had successfully drawn up plans to showcase the city. A project manager would push these through, and residents would be proud of the proposals.

He said the 'tsar' appointment would be internal, taking effect almost immediately, and the holder could continue in the role if Ascot returned next year.

Coun Galloway denied the council was panicking.

"Everything is going according to plan. Bear in mind that we are not asking this person to deal with the traffic master plan - we are just asking them to organise the appearance of the city and ancillary activities."

Councillors will discuss the report next Tuesday.

York Racecourse spokesman James Brennan said he was sure the council was "cracking on" with preparations.

Nick Smith, Ascot communications director, refuted last minute claims and said the council was acting positively.

Updated: 10:06 Tuesday, January 25, 2005