HORSES have returned to what are believed to be the country's most successful stables - Whitewall Yard, at Norton.

After being unused for several years, Mark Campion, a trainer with an impressive record worldwide, has bought the complex, which is over two centuries old, on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds overlooking Norton.

Historically, Whitewall produced several Derby and St Leger winners and horses were trained there for leading members of the horse-owning aristocracy, among them the Marquis of Westminster, Lord Wilton and Lord Derby, in the 19th century.

Whitewall is best known for its links with the legendry John Scott, who produced 40 classic winners, and, in more recent times, it was the yard of the late Frank Carr.

Already, five horses have moved into the 30-stable yard and Mr Campion's long-term plan is to have them all in use.

Originally from Lewes, in Sussex, he trained with John Dunlop at Arundel and spent several years working on stud farms in Ireland, France, New Zealand and Australia to gain experience and learn the skill of the trainer.

"All my working life has been with horses, professionally," he said. But it was as a child that his equine interest was nurtured when he had a pony on his parents' farm.

He had stables at Findon and Basingstoke before moving to Norton last month with his wife Fiona and 18-month-old son Arthur. "We have had a tremendous amount of enthusiasm shown and help given by local people - they have been marvellous."

Mr Campion, who has a dual-purpose licence to train horses for both jump racing and the flat, aims to take the yard back to its former glory and will shortly be taking on new staff.

"But it will be a gradual process," he added.

Among the features he will be restoring will be the giant landmark clock and the forge, which still houses a pristine forge and bellows.

He will be training both National Hunt and flat racing horses. "I am looking to build up a balance of both types of horses," he said.

Mr Campion's horses Sir Henvue, Northern Fleet, which ran at Royal Ascot and King of the Dawn.

He will have his first horses from the Whitewall yard running in the next few weeks. "I am very excited at the prospects ahead, despite all the hard work I face," he said.

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, January 17, 2002