Urgent talks are being sought with the administrators of Great Leighs Racecourse, where racing may not resume until 2011 at the earliest.

It was announced back in May that Deloitte had agreed a deal with a potential buyer of the racecourse, but the track’s former owner, John Holmes, said it had “stalled.”

Chelmsford Council is now seeking urgent clarification over the state of play at the course, which has faced many set-backs since its first public race meeting in May last year.

The group of companies which owned the multi-million-pound track went into administration in January this year, and since then attempts to secure a buyer have failed.

Terry Chambers, of Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club in Great Canfield, withdrew as a potential buyer only to then be named as leading the consortium that a deal had been agreed with, but not finalised, at the end of May.

Shannon Abbott, a spokesman for Chelmsford Council, said the council was “very concerned” the track’s future remained unresolved.

She said as well as sending a letter to Deloitte seeking urgent clarification over the situation, the council had re-stated its offer to discuss with the administrators ways it could help.

“The council would certainly welcome a positive response from Deloitte in order that Great Leighs Racecourse can once again be an asset to the high quality of life and economic vibrancy which exists in the Chelmsford area.”

Jamie Harley, a spokesman for Deloitte, said the administrators were still seeking the options available and were continuing to hold ongoing discussions with the relevant stakeholders.

Paul Struthers, a spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority, said the track had no fixtures for this year or next year.

“They just don’t have any fixtures so it’s hard to see any way they could race before 2011,” he said.

Mr Holmes, a friend of Mr Chambers, said the deal stalling was a “real shame”.

“It’s a great racecourse. I remain confident that with all parties thinking positively and acting positively Great Leighs could get racing again."