PLANS to build a £1 billion science park have received a boost after being labeled a top priority by a European research body.

Economic chiefs are mounting a bid to build the European Spallation Source (ESS) - a facility where scientists will carry out research with neutrons - near Selby.

Development agency Yorkshire Forward and the White Rose University Consortium - made up of York, Leeds and Sheffield universities - have put in a bid to build the centre at Burn Airfield.

The European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) has included the ESS on its European Road Map as a "high priority" project which is ready to move to the construction phase.

The ESFRI considers policy options regarding the development of European research infrastructures - major projects or facilities that underpin European science. The Road Map identifies research infrastructures which will serve the needs of the European scientific communities.

Prof Bob Cywinski, scientific and technical advisor to the Burn bid team, said: "This is tremendous news.

"The ESS is desperately needed by European scientists from all disciplines to understand the structure and behaviour of materials at the atomic level, and to develop new materials for science, medicine, engineering and technology.

"Construction of the ESS will ensure that Europe's world lead in neutron science will be secure for at least the next half century."

The Yorkshire team is one of several groups bidding to host the ESS. They face competition from Spain, Germany, Hungary and Sweden. The Burn site was granted outline planning consent by Selby District Council last September.

Dr Julian White, chief executive of the White Rose University Consortium, said: "We're proud that Yorkshire has played a key part in keeping the ESS at the top of the European agenda, and we now look forward to working with the Government and research councils to explore how we can bring this facility to Yorkshire."

Coun Brian Percival, head of the district council's economy board, said: "The ESS would be a substantial boost to the economy of the district. It would also raise the profile of Selby."