A SPORTS venue that was the subject of a bitter ownership row four years ago, leaving locals fearing it could close, is now a thriving enterprise and looking forward to a bright future.

Sedgefield Racecourse, in County Durham, was taken over by Northern Racing in 2000 after a long court battle with a shareholder went in the company's favour.

The shareholder, and many local racegoers, believed that if late millionaire Stan Clarke's company was allowed to buy the racecourse, it would be stripped of its assets and sold.

But general manager Jim Allen says that, since the takeover, the course has gone from strength to strength, and there are plans to turn it into the region's most used sports venue.

Planning permission has already been granted for the creation of a £4m all-weather track, which would allow the course to hold flat racing throughout the year and keep its existing jump races.

If the course can secure fixtures for the two tracks, the course could hold 69 race days a year - rivalling Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle football grounds on the sporting calendar.

Mr Allen said: "If all goes well, we could have 69 sports days a year, which would be more than any other venue in the North-East - not in terms of footfall, but events.

"The racing industry has many challenges; not least, we have to compete with other sports, such as football, to get people along, and racing's share of gambling money is falling.

"But Sedgefield is managing to buck the trend. Our attendance in 2004 was up by seven per cent on the previous year, compared to a four per cent fall nationally.

"The facilities are better than ever; everyone from the guests to jockeys compliments us on the improvements."

About £1m has been invested in the venture by Northern Racing to provide stables for 120 horses, redesign the parade ring and improve bars and hospitality rooms.

It has also built offices for the ten full-time workers - twice the number of staff before the takeover.

Mr Allen attributes much of the racecourse's success to non-racing events, such as a summer rave that attracted 4,000 revellers.

The venue also relaunched the Miss Durham beauty pageant and plans to hold the event again this year, along with a Mr Durham contest.

Mr Allen said: "The biggest challenge is getting people here and corporate or entertainment events are a way of attracting different people who will hopefully come back.

"We are open to any new ideas, if someone wants to rent a broom cupboard, we'll try to help. When we do well, businesses in the village benefit - the pubs are always busy on good race days."