A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to create the region's first all-weather horse racing track have been approved.

Northern Racing, which took over Sedgefield Racecourse almost three years ago, has been given permission to lay an artificial surface to allow year-round racing.

Subject to getting the nod from the British Horseracing Board, the first fixture on the new surface could take place next summer.

The £4m scheme includes redeveloping the flood-prone stables and improving the parade and pre-parade rings.

The artificial surface will be created within the existing grass track and will add at least 50 extra race meetings a year. The racecourse already hosts 22 jump racing fixtures.

Sedgefield Borough Council approved the planning application last week, but not before hearing of concerns that the extra meetings will mean an increase in traffic problems.

There is ample car parking on the course, but race-goers tend to park on streets and verges around the village rather than queue in traffic.

Coun James Wayman said: "This is going to increase traffic tremendously. We can't get in or out of our village on race days. The traffic problem should be addressed before the development goes ahead."

But architects acting for Northern Racing said meetings on the all-weather track were expected to attract an average of 800 spectators, compared to 3,000 on National Hunt days, meaning traffic would not be as busy.

Northern Racing, owned by Sir Stanley Clarke, has a racecourse portfolio that also includes Newcastle, Uttoxeter, Brighton, Bath and Chepstow.

The company says the additional race meetings will provide a boost to the local economy, creating extra jobs at the course, increasing trade at the village's pubs, B and Bs and hotels and putting Sedgefield on the sporting map.

Coun Jim Higgin, who has been visiting the course for 40 years, said: "I regard it as really good news. When Stan Clarke bought the track there was a great fear among the residents that all he intended to do was run it down and build houses there. The fact he's decided to spend a fortune here allays those fears."