GOVERNMENT officials have allayed fears that one of the world's oldest motorsport events could be at risk.

Organisers of the Scott Trial, in Swaledale, said a change in Common Agricultural Policy payments could put the event at risk.

Under the new Single Payment Scheme, farmers who hold motorsport events on their land could miss out on subsidies. But an official for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said last night that the event was not under threat.

He said: "We know there is some disquiet among the motorsport community about the changes, but they shouldn't make a huge difference.

"If a farmer owns 100 hectares, and the Scott Trial runs across ten hectares, then the farmer can still claim for 90 hectares," he explained.

"The Scott Trial has been running for almost 100 years. We certainly don't wish the event ill in any way."