AN AMBITIOUS vision for the future of York over the next 20 years was today officially launched.

Hailing the ground-breaking Without Walls community strategy at York City Screen, City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said York residents boasted an "amazing, single-minded determination to succeed."

He said the success of York Pride would pave the way for the community master plan to flourish.

He told the meeting: "York has always been a city making history, but that history is now in your hands."

More than 100 dignitaries and special guests attended the premiere of the Without Walls film which featured an outline for York's future as residents spoke on housing, education, and green issues.

Councillor Galloway, who chairs Without Walls, said residents "had previously overcome apparently overwhelming odds."

He pointed to the Coppergate campaign, the fight to save York City Football Club and York Pride as examples of "everyone pulling in the same direction."

He said that he hoped "tangible and significant" progress would be made on the master-plan in the next year, with the whole community moving the city forward.

Today's premiere also heard how the new York@Large cultural partnership wanted to transform York into a "world-class City of Festivals" - cementing its position on the world tourist map and setting the city head-to-head with the likes of Edinburgh and Bath.

The plans come as part of the cultural vision of Without Walls.

Liz Page, managing director of York & County Press, and chairwoman of York@Large, said the aim of the partnership was to launch the City of Festivals next year.

This will coincide with high-profile events like Royal Ascot and the 60th Anniversary of VE Day, adding to the successful music, comedy and food and drink festivals the city already boasts.

Mrs Page told the premiere: "Our vision is ambitious, but achievable. We aim to make York more eventful for everyone, resident and visitor alike.

"York@Large aims to expand the existing festival programme so that all year round there is something going on - a reason for residents to get out and about and a reason for tourists to visit."

She said it would be "wonderful" if York could host a major fireworks display to mark the 400th anniversary of the gunpowder plot.

However, Mrs Page said challenges ahead included the availability of high-profile venues and high licensing costs. She said none of these hurdles was insurmountable.

Updated: 14:08 Thursday, July 15, 2004