City of York Council has been asked to coordinate plans to host the relay on July 5 as it passes through the city en route to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Lord Mayor of York Councillor Irene Waudby said, "I am delighted to hear that York is to be the destination for one leg of the relay. The event should be a great spectacle and one in which a wide range of groups can become involved. The city's participation should help to make children aware of the importance of sport in their lives".

The relay offers an opportunity for millions of people to be directly involved in the games and celebrate the Queen's 50 years as British sovereign.

The national route was announced this afternoon by HRH Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex and the event will give local people the chance to be nominated as runners, each carrying the baton for up to 500 metres.

Nomination forms are available through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme who will be making the selection in this area. Each runner will be nominated for 'community achievement' or special actions. Posters and entry forms are available from York DOE organiser Sharrona Benton 0n 01904 541801. The closing date for nominations is January 4. Nomination forms are also available on the Commonwealth Games website on www.commonwealthgames.com or by calling the Games Information Line on 0870 609 2002.

York Leisure Office will be coordinating the York stage of the relay. Liz Topi, a YLO project manager, said, "The Jubilee Runners will each be someone who has made a special contribution to their community, improved the lives of others or achieved a personal goal against the odds. They do not have to be athletes and the organisers welcome the nomination of disabled people. We want to encourage all kinds of people to be nominated."

The baton will leave Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, March 11 next year travelling to approximately 20 Commonwealth countries, before returning on June 6 to travel throughout the UK for 50 days. It will pass through hundreds of towns and villages, with community celebrations organised by local authorities .

The final runner will hand the baton to the Queen who will read the message it contains to open the first Commonwealth Games of the 21st Century on July 25.

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Notes for Editors:

The York route will be finalised next month. A range of events around the Commonwealth theme will be organised to celebrate the occasion.