The Jockey Club has unveiled new measures designed to boost confidence in the integrity of racing.

The initiatives include better weighing room security, more CCTV at racecourse stables, restrictions on the use of mobile phones by jockeys and a ban on trainers laying horses on betting exchange sites.

Racing's reputation was badly hit last year with the Panorama and Kenyon Confronts documentaries alleging widespread corruption in the sport.

Confidence in the integrity of racing's product is vital for both the racing and betting industry Christopher Spence, Jockey Club chief

There were also allegations of horse-doping and betting scams.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn told the Jockey Club, which is responsible for enforcing the Rules of Racing, that reform was needed to reassure the public.

The Jockey Club set up an Integrity Review Committee, which has recommended four new measures.

"The measures will be introduced during 2003," said Christopher Spence, senior steward of the Jockey Club and chairman of the committee.

"I have been encouraged by the response of those parties that we have so far liaised and consulted with.

"Confidence in the integrity of racing's product is vital for both the racing and betting industry."

The rule regarding betting exchanges could be implemented in the next couple of months.

Caborn said reform was needed

However, it is likely to be May or June before the other three recommendations are introduced.

Jockeys' Association chief executive Michael Caulfield said the proposed restrictions on the use of mobile phones would severely inconvenience jockeys.

He said he hoped further compromise on the recommendations would be possible but added that jockeys would have to accept the new regulations.

"We expect the Jockey Club to recognise that jockeys must still have access to their agents etc if racing is to run efficiently," he said.

"I have advised the membership that to fight the ban would have been counterproductive and ill-advised when racing's reputation is under scrutiny."

The main recommendations of the Integrity Review Group:

The security of the weighing room and changing room areas should become the responsibility of the Jockey Club.

This would include revising the rules governing access to the weighing room and changing room.

Restrictions should be placed on the use of mobile phones by jockeys on racecourses.

An improved and expanded system of CCTV cameras should be installed in racecourse stables.

The IRC has recommended the installation of up to 12 CCTV colour cameras per site, linked to a central monitoring and recording facility.

All racecourse stables have been equipped with four monochrome CCTV cameras since 1994/5.

Rules should be introduced which make it an offence for a trainer to lay a horse through a betting exchange account.

The Jockey Club is also considering whether this ban should be extended to others, such as owners and stable staff.