TWO Yorkshire hunts are seeking a new venue to stage their point-to-point races following the closure of Whitcliffe Grange racecourse near Ripon.

The West of Yore and Badsworth & Bramham Moor hunts have been told the racecourse is no longer available after the Zetland Estate chose to take it back for farming.

Both hunts have fixtures booked to be staged in March next year and are now looking for other options.

Wayne Burnell, recently appointed secretary of the Yorkshire Point-to-Point Association, said: “Both hunts worked hard to make Whitcliffe Grange a very good racecourse and regularly invested in improvements – it is that sort of endeavour which will help us find an alternative.

“News of the change of use of the land came very recently, and we have yet to find an alternative, but we want the message to get out that both hunts are determined to continue staging point-to-points and welcome suggestions from those who could help.”