The track at Wolverhampton racecourse has been given the all clear, despite the death of five horses since the beginning of November.

Inspectors from the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) have given their approval for racing to continue on the all weather surface at Dunstall Park, following an examination of the conditions.

After five fatalities in almost as many weeks – an extremely high number for a flat course – the HRA team met with course officials to examine the circumstances surrounding the incidents, which occurred at different parts of the circuit.

The initial investigation has indicated that there are no links between the deaths and the surface, concluding that the recent run is down to bad fortune.

The decision has been criticised by animals rights groups, which have suggested that the high number of injuries is indicative of a more significant issue.

The tight layout of the course is demanding for jockeys and horses, and the nature of all weather racing dictates that often lower quality animals are ridden by inexperienced jockeys, increasing the possibility of such falls occurring.

The all weather Polytrack surface at Wolverhampton has a top layer of recycled rubber, sand and synthetic fibres, coated in wax to allow water flow through a dual base layer with macadam and a crushed rock foundation.