A multi-million pound scheme to restart racing at Lanark has been unveiled by a local business group.

The plans include Flat meetings on turf and all-weather and hurdle races during the winter, hopefully by 2004.

Racing last took place at Lanark 24 years ago and it was the prospect of losing the track's main event, the historic Silver Bell, to another course that prompted the move.

David Hughes, who heads the Lanark Racing Development Company, said: "It all emanated from the predatory aspirations to have the Silver Bell removed from Lanark and this is what kicked the whole thing off."

South Lanarkshire Council had its own blueprint to practically level the old course buildings and create new open air sporting facilities.

All-weather course

But, following discussions, it was agreed that the new company be disbanded and a steering group set up to spend the next six months coming up with a business plan for racing at the track 20 miles south east of Glasgow.

Hughes said: "It all hinges on what the British Horseracing Board would do as far as our proposal would be concerned.

"We have to put before them, the banks, any financial institutions - such as the Lottery and South Lanarkshire Council - the most attractive business plan possible.

"Based on that, the BHB, at a board meeting, will discuss the merits of the case and, if they decided it was in the best interests of racing, they would grant a licence."

The building of an all-weather course is the centrepiece of the group's plans.

"Racing could conceivably return to Lanark for a cost of no more than �3m," said Hughes.

The BHB will wait for the new courses at Fairlop Waters and Pembrey to be given planning permission before considering any more applications.