York Racecourse staged the Royal Ascot meeting in June

The final classic of the season usually forms the highlight of a four-day fixture, but the meeting will be condensed into just two days in 2006.

In addition to the �475,000 Ladbrokes St Leger itself, racegoers will also be able to enjoy six Group Two races.

York will also stage the Doncaster Cup, Park Stakes, Champagne Stakes, May Hill, Park Hill, and Flying Childers.

The Sceptre Stakes will also be transferred, along with the Heritage handicaps, such as the Ladbrokes Mallard and Portland Stakes.

These events will be augmented by the Group Three Strensall Stakes, which is normally run at York in September.

William Derby, chief executive at York, said: "Our course is run for the good of racing and we're excited to be staging this showpiece festival offering over �1.2m in prize money.

"We're proud of our role in Yorkshire racing and understand the St Leger is a highlight of the season for fans in the county, so we're delighted the fixture is staying within its boundaries."

York will not be staging the St Leger for the first time, however, as the race was run on the Knavesmire in 1945 when Town Moor was being used in the war effort.

York's owners are working with the city council and other agencies on the details of the St Leger Festival and the two rescheduled York days.

Although York's big meetings occupy their usual places in the calendar, the Wednesday and Sunday fixtures in the week before the Leger will now be staged earlier in the year, with the latter being held on 18 June.

York will also have a first evening meeting for a number of years on 27 July.