A £100,000 price tag has been put on the top job at City of York Council.

The chief executive's position is advertised in today's edition of the Local Government Chronicle - with the huge salary shown prominently.

Since the post was last advertised in 1995, the salary has increased by £20,000.

The half-page advert itself cost £3,580 to place, according to a spokeswoman for the Local Government Chronicle.

It is also expected to appear in The Guardian, The Times and The Sunday Times.

It is estimated that the recruitment campaign would cost between £20,000 and £30,000.

The post becomes free on November 5, when existing chief executive David Clark leaves to become director general of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, a body which represents managers in local government.

The post, with responsibility for a staff of about 7,000, will be taken by Mr Clark's deputy David Atkinson until a replacement is appointed. The council's timetable is for final interviews to be carried out in December.

A council spokesman said: "We plan years ahead, rather than months, and in the long-term a couple of months is nothing.

"We have a very capable deputy chief executive in David Atkinson who is perfectly able to cover the gap.

"David Clark will be a very hard act to follow, and we want to ensure that we get the best for the people of York."