A MAJOR fireworks display could take place in York - thanks to £200,000 of funding from China.

The city of Changsha, which is also a UNESCO City of Media Arts, has offered to subsidise a display. The council would put a further £100,000 towards the fireworks show.

A report says the event would take place at the Castle Gateway site. A spokeswoman for the council said it is not yet able to confirm whether the show would be based at Clifford’s Tower, if it would be a ticketed event or if it will take place on Bonfire Night.

The proposals are due to be discussed at a council meeting with the executive member for culture and tourism, Cllr Nigel Ayre, on Friday.

The report says the event will involve “spectacular, leading-edge, digital fireworks” and the local authority will work with the team behind the Mediale Festival to develop the plans.

The show is part of wider plans for cultural projects in the city funded thanks to two successful bids for a total of £310,000 from the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool.

The money will be used to attract investors and tourists to the city as well as creating a detailed plan for the Castle Piccadilly area and fund events in the Castle Gateway area.

This could include commissioning a “headline piece” from a “globally renowned” artist to form part of the Mediale Festival in 2020.

It is hoped the project will change “public perception of the space from car park to thriving cultural hub".

The report says: “This status represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to raise the social, cultural and economic standing of York for the benefit of all residents, telling the story of York as a place that is culturally-rich and creatively-pioneering, a place where cutting-edge technology and art is used to breathe new life into its heritage.”

Cllr Ayre added: “These projects give us a real opportunity to shape the city’s cultural offer for the next generation and ensure that York is recognised for its world-class cultural offer.”