Plans to extend racecourse

Plans have been lodged to extend the racecourse in York so it can host the Royal Ascot races in 2005.

The summer racing festival will move north while building work takes place at the Ascot course.

But the race track on the Knaves mire in York needs to be improved to allow two-and-a-half mile races to be run.

This means work will take place to widen a bend at the northern end of the course, if City of York councillors agree.

Members of the planning committee will look at the application shortly.

They are expected to approve it as long as public access to the Knaves mire is still available on non-race days.