THE postponement of a popular Christmas rally is due to the organisers of a recent event exceeding a pre-arranged noise limit, Croft Circuit has said.

The Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally was due to have been held at the track near Darlington on December 27.

However, due to restrictions imposed on the circuit by the High Court, limiting the number of so-called 'noisy days' it can hold, the event has had to be moved to bank holiday Monday, January 2.

The circuit is only allowed 40 of these days per year and would have exceeded that total if the event had gone ahead as planned.

Organisers, the Northallerton Automobile Club Ltd, have expressed their disappointment at the decision, but say they are still committed to staging the rally.

Croft Circuit, meanwhile, says it believes it necessary to clarify just why the decision was taken.

"Unfortunately, the organisers of a recent event allowed their event to exceed their pre-agreed noise limit during one of their two days at the circuit," a spokesman said last night.

"Frustratingly, this in effect took up the 40th 'noisy day' of the year that, legally, Croft Circuit has available to run.

"Croft Circuit would like to make it absolutely clear that this was not the Roger Albert Clark Rally (held on December 3) - its date had been agreed with Croft Circuit long ago and at a time when everything was on course to remain comfortably within the 40-day rule."

Although Croft have not said which meeting this was, it is believed it may have been the recent MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix event.

The spokesman said despite this Croft was delighted that an alternative date has been agreed for the rally. "This event was visibly at its most popular yet last year," he said.

"Attracting a strong turn-out of enthusiasts eager for a slice of competitive motor sport during the off-season."

Clerk of the Course for the Christmas Stages Rally, Ian Jackson said: "This is not the first time we have had to reschedule our event because of the recent restrictions imposed on Croft and whilst it's very disappointing, we are still committed to putting on a popular and successful event.

"We realise the revised date will not be suitable for everyone, but we hope we get the support we need as an awful lot of time and effort has gone into organising this so far.

"The easy option would have been to cancel the event but we didn't want to do that as despite the worst that the weather has thrown at us over the years, we have never been defeated yet."

The cost of entry is £195 and final closing date for entries is Friday, December 16 with final instructions available from December 18.