POLICE armed with electric stun guns will guard The Queen at Royal Ascot in York, the Evening Press can reveal.

Specially-trained officers will carry Taser weapons to protect the Royal family during the five-day racing extravaganza.

It is the first time that North Yorkshire Police officers have deployed the controversial weapon, which releases a 50,000 volt charge.

The move comes as part of an extraordinary security operation which effectively creates a "ring of steel" around high-profile Royals.

A police source said: "Trials in other forces have found that this less-lethal weapon has a remarkable deterrent effect.

"We needed a way of stopping someone in their tracks if they make a dash for a member of the Royal Family when they are in public."

A small number of the force's firearms officers have received two days' extra training to use the weapons which fire two darts trailing back to the handset.

When they strike, a five-second 50,000-volt charge is released down the cable causing the suspect's muscles to contract uncontrollably. A laser helps target the suspect and it works at ranges of up to 21ft.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Tasers are joining the other equipment available to firearm-trained officers.

"It's our hope that we never see them used, but they are a valuable addition to the range of hardware designed to stop or slow people who present a danger either to themselves or other people.

"This selection includes baton round guns (plastic bullets), and actual firearms. CS spray is another option. They are part of an array of methods of disarming people which starts with a kindly word of caution."

The Queen is expected to attend every day of Royal Ascot and armed officers will be on high-alert throughout her visit.

Elite members of the Royal Protection Squad will provide close protection 24 hours a day for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Special Escort Service will also provide added security when the Royals are on the move. With highly-skilled drivers and a fleet of specially armoured royal cars, including a modified Rolls Royce.

In York builders have been ordered to remove scaffolding erected around the course and on major roads over fears of snipers and a "no-fly" zone will be enforced over the course.

In September 2004, Home Secretary David Blunkett approved the use of the Taser stun guns by firearms officers in England and Wales. During the first trial of the battery-powered weapon in five force areas it was deployed in 60 incidents and aimed in 40, but only fired 13 times.

Updated: 11:18 Monday, June 13, 2005