YORK is set to enjoy a host of Golden Jubilee events - from a city centre parade and picnics in the parks to a unique international rugby festival.

City of York Council today unveiled its plans to help citizens celebrate the Queen's 50-year reign, just as the monarch was about to launch her Jubilee Commonwealth Games Baton Relay from Buckingham Palace.

Sir Roger Bannister, the world's first four-minute miler, received the baton from the Queen in the Palace forecourt, and two other record-breaking milers, Seb Coe and Steve Cram, took it down the Mall as it started its 64,000-mile journey around the world, passing through York on July 5 and July 6.

Rugby fans are in for a treat on Monday, June 3, when a nine-a-side Fairfax Cup event will be hosted by Heworth Rugby League Club, featuring teams from across Europe as well as the Ironsiders, a specially-formed invitation team of local players,

A Jubilee BBC Music Live day hosted by BBC Radio York will feature in Parliament Street on June 3, as well as a Macmillan Cancer Relief Jubilee concert at York Minster on June 1 with the Yorkshire Bach Choir and Northern Sinfonia performing Haydn's Creation.

Other York Jubilee events include:

- A Commonwealth Market at Parliament Street on Monday and Tuesday June 3 and 4.

- A city centre parade on June 3, with a Royal Salute in Museum Gardens.

- A theme park on Knavesmire, featuring Europe's biggest big wheel.

Six hundred blue, red and white balloons were being released today, giving out information about the events.

Updated: 11:48 Monday, March 11, 2002