Following the difficulties which Musselburgh racecourse has encountered in the last few months a more positive statement has been issued.

Musselburgh Racecourse said they are confident that following a meeting on Friday April 6 between representatives of the British Horseracing Authority, East Lothian Council and the Lothians Racing Syndicate, that they can secure a new licence to race in time for its next scheduled race meeting on May 3.

The current licence granted by the governing body, the BHA, expires today.

Musselburgh Racecourse chief executive, Bill Farnsworth, said: “Today’s meeting was constructive, and all parties are agreed on what needs to be achieved to move towards a long-term arrangement for the governance of the racecourse.

“We need to discuss more detail and to obtain legal advice, but we have established a positive direction of travel. East Lothian Council and the LRS are committed to working over the next three weeks to reach a position where a proposal will be put to the next full meeting of the Council on April 24.

“Based on the agreements reached today, all parties are confident the BHA will then be in a position to award Musselburgh a licence on April 25 in advance of our next race meeting on May 3.”

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.