TRAGEDY has struck The Northern Echo's latest venture into horseracing.

Local Heroes, a two-year-old filly named after the paper's popular grassroots sports supplement, has died.

The unraced filly had to be put down on humane grounds after suffering a freak training injury which proved to be much more serious than first thought.

The filly was thought to have a promising future as a racehorse and its death has devastated trainer Michael Dods and his staff at Denton Hall, near Darlington.

A vet's original diagnosis was that Local Heroes would recover from the injury, thought to be pulled ligaments and, subsequently, a trapped nerve.

But its condition deteriorated rapidly and it was discovered that the horse had, in fact, shattered the backbone leading to its tail.

Members will be invited to Denton Hall in about a month to discuss plans for the partnership.

It is hoped to replace Local Heroes, which was insured for £5,000, with another horse and a number of options will be considered.

In the meantime, another of Michael Dods' horses, Patrivalor, will run in the partnership's colours until a firm decision is taken about Local Heroes' replacement.

Members will be given regular updates on a special hotline - 07626 948833.