ENGLAND'S oldest road race, the Morpeth-Newcastle, looks like being forced out of existence in face of a £30,000 safety bill.

But the next oldest, the Saltwell 10K, goes ahead tomorrow after race organisers agreed new safety measures with the police.

The loss of the Morpeth, which once attracted thousands of competitors to the North-East from all parts of the UK on New Year's Day, is a huge blow to local athletics. But it is unlikely to be staged again after the host club Morpeth Harriers was forced to scrap plans for a 2006 race next month after an astonishing estimate of over £30,000 for road closures - including part of the A1 - and police costs.

John Williams, chairman of the race organisers, said: "There were major problems over the route of the race and the cost of traffic management could be in excess of £30,000. We simply don't have the resources for that."

When the race was last held on its traditional New Year's Day slot, competitors ran along the A1 before branching off through Wideopen and Gosforth to finish outside Newcastle Civic Centre. But the route was considered too dangerous and the centenary event in 2004 was held on a different date and re-routed to finish opposite the Town Moor.

Some officials believe that the event could safely revert to its original course if it was switched back to the early morning of New Year's Day, when traffic is much lighter.

Morpeth Harriers' secretary Mike Bateman said: "The race has an excellent safety record and that could easily be maintained by moving it back to New Year's Day - with an early start the traffic element would be very little.

"We are extremely disappointed the race will not go ahead in 2006."

But organisers of the Saltwell race, won 16 times in succession by Olympic Games 10,000m silver medallist Mike McLeod, are celebrating a reprieve after serious concerns about the future of their event.

Race organiser Keith Wood said: "The race committee has done everything possible to ensure that this historic event continues.

"Now it has been saved we want as many runners as possible to support the race."

The race committee has agreed to pay "substantial" costs for police assistance, which has ensured that runners will again be able to tackle the formidable Chowdene Bank, where there will be a £25 bonus for the first athlete to reach the top.

The senior race starts at 10.30am after the under-13 (10am) and under-15 (10.15) events and late entries will be accepted at Gateshead Leisure Centre.

* Liz Yelling will face a formidable test of her ability to gain a top-three placing at Sunday's Cross Internacional De Venta in Spain.

Yelling has again shown an appetite for cross country racing in recent weeks, although last year's Olympian still sees her future as a marathon runner.

She threw caution to the wind on Sunday at the European Championships in Tilburg, establishing a lead of more than 15 metres on her rivals at one point during the first lap.

The Bedford star may have tired in the latter stages but she still ran well enough to finish second British counter as the Norwich Union GB team were beaten by just two points for the title by Russia.

Now, a week after collecting a second Euro team gold in three years, Yelling comes up against yet another of the amazing distance runners constantly produced by Ethiopia.

Geleta Burika, winner of this year's IAAF World Cross Country junior crown, heads the field. The 19-year-old African looks unmatchable but Yelling, who finished eighth in Tilburg last weekend, is expected to be a challenger to Burika, along with Spain's Rosa Morato. who was a position behind the Briton in Holland.

European 5,000 metres champion Marta Domnguez will also be eager to make an impression.