RESIDENTS living close to the site of a planned speedway circuit could hold the key to the future of the controversial venture.

The planned track at Barford Camp, at Stainton, near Barnard Castle, could bring £200,000 in to the Teesdale economy if it gets the go-ahead, say organisers.

But Ken Marshall, coordinator for Positive Promotions Ltd, said they would first have to convince the public that the track would not cause a nuisance.

He said: "This is a fantastic possibility, which has been planned and thought out in great detail.

"It would be a massive boost for the Teesdale economy, especially for hotels and cafes and restaurants, with hundreds of thousands of pounds coming into the area.

"But people instantly think it is going to be a noisy operation and the council haven't exactly seemed supportive, so we want to reassure people that it would not be a nuisance - quite the opposite."

A public meeting had been planned to take place at the Witham Hall, on March 28, but that has been cancelled due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

It will now be held at a later date.