The first new British racecourse to be built in 81 years has held its first ever race.

The £23m-plus Great Leighs site, located north of Chelmsford, Essex, features an all-weather track, a grandstand, extensive hospitality facilities and has been designed to be able to hold floodlit meetings.

The course, which will host an official opening party on 28 May, has been developed by a partnership involving local businessman John Holmes, Arena Leisure, Sodexo Prestige and Stan James Bookmakers.