TOWCESTER racecourse was today granted permission to construct a greyhound track and work on the project will start immediately.

The green light has been greeted with considerable appreciation by the GOBATA committee, including chairman Martin White who, along with Chris Page, has worked tirelessly with the Towcester management to get ‘our dream’ off the ground.

“This is the best thing that has happened to greyhound racing in decades,” said White, “we’ve worked very closely with Towcester over many months and it has now become a reality, it is wonderful news.”

The first Towcester greyhound meeting is planned for August and initially racing will be staged once a week. “These are very exciting times and GOBATA wishes to express our grateful thanks to Lord Hesketh and his management team at Towcester, they have all given this venture their full backing.

“From now on it is full steam ahead and all hands to the pump! added White.”