PUBLIC access to Thirsk Racecourse may be stopped if dog owners using the land do not pick up their pets waste according to racecourse bosses.

A spokesperson for the racecourse said: "The Thirsk Racecourse coach park, alongside Station Road, is a large, grassed area that, although private property, has historically been made accessible by the racecourse for local residents to exercise their dogs.

"The majority are responsible dog owners and clear-up after their pets, however, some do not, leaving the area fouled – this obviously presents a hygiene issue for racegoers and members of the public who use the space.

"This issue has to ‘police’ itself, amongst those who use the area if not the racecourse, with regret, will have little choice other than to withdraw the facility."