A CRUNCH decision is expected in the next few weeks as a prestigious horse racing company ponders a move to York.

Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (DBS) has confirmed it has still not yet concluded negotiations with South Yorkshire council chiefs over a new home, with a move to York still very much on the cards.

Managing director Henry Beeby said the situation was still very much up in the air, but he hoped to know more following meetings early next month.

The Evening Press revealed last September how the business, which sells hundreds of top class thoroughbreds each year, was targeting the city - declaring York at the "top of the list" if it had to leave the Doncaster area.

Negotiations with Doncaster Council have been slow, as doubts remain over whether it can find a suitable home in the town.

Uncertainty first arose because of doubts about a planning application to revamp Doncaster Racecourse - a decision which has led to York staging September's St Leger classic on Knavesmire.

Even though permission was granted for that application, which includes blueprints for a new 500-stable bloodstock centre, Mr Beeby said talks had stalled with the council over the issuing of leases.

The company, which brings £35 million into Doncaster's economy, may opt to leave the town if talks are not concluded shortly.

He said: "There is still no change, but we should know a bit more at the beginning of April."

Although DBS hopes to remain in Doncaster, Mr Beeby has said: "We have had a number of meetings with William Derby (clerk of the course at York Racecourse), and we have made one or two offers and commitments to each other.

"Negotiations (with Doncaster) are going on a bit too long.

"We feel we have gone round and about in circles.

"We are hoping to stay in Doncaster but we are looking at other options."

Updated: 09:59 Saturday, March 18, 2006