MORE than £3,000 was spent on corporate hospitality during Royal Ascot at York, new council figures have shown.

A total of £37,895.65 has been used to entertain guests at City of York Council functions over the last three years.

The figures, revealed following a Freedom of Information Act request, detail every corporate function at The Guildhall since the start of 2004.

A total of £10,930.01 was shelled out in 2004, £17,744.47 was spent in 2005, and £9,221.17 has been spent so far this year.

Each year, the council's biggest expense is Lord Mayor's Day which has cost the authority £4,783 in 2004, £4,445 in 2005, and £5,078 in 2006.

The annual day brings councillors and invited guests together to crown the new Lord Mayor of York, which this year is Coun Janet Hopton.

Aside from Ascot hospitality in June, 2005, a further £978 was spent on an Ascot Thank You Dinner catering for 40 people.

Other regular corporate events include a civic dinner and end of year civic party, a York City Football Club dinner and the Lord Mayor's Breakfast.

This year, the authority spent £464.68 on a Mansion House party to celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday. Smaller events in 2006 have included £1,085 on a Young Persons Event at the Mansion House for 43 people and £235 on a reception for civic charities.

Many of the events surround the ceremonial role the Lord Mayor of York plays as an ambassador for the city.

Anne Skelton, the council's civic services officer, said: "The civic hospitality budget allows the Lord Mayor to entertain on behalf of the city.

"Residents, local, national and international business representatives, as well as fellow civic groups, are entertained and welcomed to the city by the Lord Mayor.

"The Mansion House was built in 1730 to enhance the reputation of the city, and the tradition of entertaining and welcoming visitors to York remains.

"York is a city that appreciates its heritage, and the office of Lord Mayor and the Mansion House remain an integral part of the city."