Horse racing bosses have approved an application from Great Leighs Racecourse to bid for fixtures next year.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has approved an application from the course's new owners, Great Leighs Estates Limited (GLEL).

But the authority has warned the venue, which will change its name to Chelmsford City Racecourse, is not guaranteed an allocation of fixtures.

Another bid, for an all-weather track in Newcastle, was also accepted.

BHA director of racing Ruth Quinn said: “Having submitted applications which met all of the criteria for new and converted racecourses, both Chelmsford City and the converted Newcastle All-Weather track have been granted permission to join the 2015 fixture allocation process.

“However, this should not be interpreted as a guarantee or indication of an expansion of all-weather fixtures or the overall fixture list in order to accommodate new fixtures at either venue.

"We continue to develop the fixture allocation process, part of which involves determining customer demand for fixtures and the scope of the horse population to meet such demand.”