Great Leighs racecourse, Britain's newest all-weather track, has called in the administrators.

In a short statement, the owner of the facility, Essex County Showground Group (ECSG), said that it had appointed Deloitte to assess the position of the group's companies in order to determine "the best outcome" for its creditors.

The racetrack opened in April 2008 and was the first new British racecourse to be launched since 1927.

It is thought that the £23m site, located north of Chelmsford, Essex, could attract a number of potential buyers – including Arena Leisure which manages the site on behalf of ESCG.

Facilities at the racecourse include a floodlit all-weather track, a grandstand and extensive hospitality facilities.

THe site was developed by a partnership involving local businessman and ECSG chair John Holmes, Arena Leisure, Sodexo Prestige and Stan James Bookmakers.