THE racecourse known as the Ascot of the North is to undergo one of its most significant overhauls since it first began hosting the sport of kings.

The major project, costing in the region of £2m, will improve the performance and consistency of the racing surface at the Knavesmire, home of York Racecourse since 1731.

And as a consequence of the work the course's showcase meeting, the Ebor Festival, could be extended from three to four days in August 2008.

Plans have been submitted for improvements consisting of three main elements.

They include the installation of a comprehensive drainage scheme throughout, the widening and regarding of the south bend and improving the inside track used by ambulances, vets and maintenance vehicles.

It is the most extensive single project on the course itself since racing began there and follows the building of the £20m Ebor Stand in 2003, which helped attract the real Ascot to the Knavesmire in 2005.

Work would start in late summer 2008 and the September and October meetings would be rescheduled for earlier in the year - with the Ebor Festival becoming a four-day extravaganza.

The chairman of the York Race Committee, Nicholas Wrigley, said; "We are keen to improve every aspect of the racecourse and the actual track is at the very heart of our operation.

"The current racing surface has served us well and has been host to many famous contests; with the recent improvement in turf technology, drainage and irrigation, we want to ensure we can compete at the highest level and continue to attract the best horses to race at York."

Clerk of the course William Derby added: "The quality of the racing surface is one of our key assets.

"By investing in the track we will be able to improve the performance and consistency of the racing surface, particularly during excessively rainy periods or periods of drought.

"This will help us to consistently produce a top class surface for the best thoroughbreds in the world to come and compete at York. It is a further step in York's development to be one of the finest racecourses in the world."