Ascot race to return home in 2006

Royal Ascot will return to its traditional Berkshire home next summer, the racecourse's boss has said.

The famous race relocated to York this year due to a massive redevelopment of the Ascot course.

There has been concern that work could overrun and force the meeting to be held outside Ascot for a second time.

But Ascot chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum said the redevelopment was progressing on course for the meeting to return next June.

Revamp 'on target'

The final bill for the revamp would be around £200m, slightly higher than the initial budget of £185m, he said.

Mr Erskine-Crum told the BBC: "We have promised the racing industry an autumn decision on the venue of next year's meeting.

"We are delighted to confirm that the redevelopment is on target and we will be back at Ascot next year."

Mr Erskine-Crum said that plans were in place to deal with any possible mishaps over the coming months.

But he added: "If there is any unforeseeable disaster, the like of which could potentially hit any sporting venue or racecourse at any time, then we have contingency plans for the transfer of major races.

"But we definitely won't be going back to York and we won't be going to Newmarket or Newbury. We will be here."