GREAT Leighs has been refused a licence by the British Horseracing Authority regulatory committee.

GREAT Leighs has been refused a licence by the British Horseracing Authority regulatory committee.

The Essex racecourse's temporary licence was declined at a hearing on Thursday, meaning the track will not be able to race until the issue is resolved.

A statement on www.britishhorseracing.com explained: "The racecourse managing executive has been operating under temporary licences since January 1, 2009, the latest of which expired at midnight on January 15, 2009.

"An application at the hearing was made for a new temporary licence to operate until the end of January.

"The committee declined to grant a further temporary licence.

"The effect is that, unless and until a new application is made and is successful, there is no licence in place for racing at Great Leighs.

"The Racing Department of the British Horseracing Authority are dealing with the Fixture List and racing administration consequences of this."

The reasons for declining the application have not been revealed but it is understood the meeting may now be transferred to Kempton.