YORK Races' bid to host the Royal Meeting in 2005 received another boost today when council chiefs said they were "very strongly" in favour of bringing Ascot to the city.

As this year's five-day festival of horse racing kicked off in Berkshire today, Roy Templeman, City of York Council's development chief, said the prospect of it coming to York was "an excellent opportunity for the city".

Ascot may have to relinquish staging the 2005 event because of multi-million pound renovation works.

Ascot chiefs are due to make an announcement at the end of next month, and York is in the frame.

The prospect of bringing royalty to York has already been backed by the city's tourism chiefs. Now council bosses have also thrown their weight behind the bid.

"We know there will be certain problems that we will need to overcome. I think it is an excellent opportunity for the city to promote itself to the outside world," Mr Templeman said.

"We need to ensure there is minimum disruption to residents, but we are very strongly behind the bid."

One of the key issues will be extending the track. Several key races on the Ascot card are more than two miles long - exceeding the length of the York track.

An area of Knavesmire has already been pegged out, and turf scientists are looking at what would be required to bring the extra ground up to course standard.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course, said: "We have spoken to the council and we are keeping them updated on the project. They have asked us to keep them informed and have told us that they will help."

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, June 17, 2003