A ROW over noise at a racing circuit will be decided in the High Court.

Residents living near Croft Motor Racing Circuit, near Darlington, are complaining their lives are being made a misery by noise from the track.

However, motor racing enthusiasts have rejected the claims and say the circuit brings in millions of pounds to the local economy each year.

Protestors Derek and Julia Watson and Jill Wilson, who all live near the track, at Vince Moor East, Croft, are suing Croft Promosport, which operates the track, for damages of up to £50,000.

They are also seeking court orders relating to activity at the track.

In a writ that has just been made public, Mr Walton said he had written to Richmondshire District Council about noise problems from the circuit since 2002.

According to the writ, some residents' health has been affected by noise from the track and this has led to depression - with one resident saying the noise has led to suicidal thoughts.

Yesterday, Mr and Mrs Watson and Ms Wilson declined to comment on the writ.

However, Mr Watson said: "Do you know about Croft Motor Circuit? It's a statutory noise nuisance - it's as simple as that."

However, Larry Carter, a freelance journalist who handles public relations for the circuit, said it complied with regulations stipulated by the local authority.

He said: "If these people look at the broader picture, you can see what it does to the local economy. We all have various things that we don't particularly agree with in life.

"When the British Superbikes come to Croft there are 30,000 people who come over the course of the weekend and spend £1.3m."

Mr Carter said Croft had been operating as a racing circuit since 1948.

He said: "I don't think the people who are complaining have lived here for that long.

"There are lots of people like me who are employed by the track and there are many hotels and shops who do well from it.

"This is the minority trying to spoil it for the majority."