Efforts to find a buyer for Great Leighs racecourse near Colchester, Essex, as a going concern appear to have been unsuccessful after administrators revealed no bidders had come forward.

Great Leighs - the UK's first new horse racing venue to open since 1927 - opened in April 2008 but was forced to enter administration in January 2009 after encountering financial difficulties. Deloitte's Carlton Siddle, who was named joint administrator along with Nick Edwards, told the BBC: "Unfortunately, despite significant effort over a period of 17 months, we have been unable to conclude a sale.

"The numerous highly complex title issues have not been capable of resolution. Consequently, we are now in discussions with the group's principal secured lender, RBS, about the next step."