ORGANISERS of a popular Lancashire point-to-point race meeting have revealed it will be held in Yorkshire and said: "It is unlikely we will ever return."

Organisers of the Ribble Valley meet, traditionally held at Westby Hall Farm in Gisburn, said the race would be held in Skipton on May 4.

The event, for amateur steeplechasers, was cancelled last year because of foot and mouth. Plans were initially made to hold it at Hessleker near Broughton Hall, Skipton, but it was called off at the last minute.

Now organisers at the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt have decided to stick with Skipton.

Local traders in the Ribble Valley said the move would have a knock-on effect for tourism and business.

Jo Foster from the hunt said: "We had to cancel last year because of foot and mouth and this year we have decided to hold the race in Skipton. There were a number of reasons why we opted for Hessleker, but the main one was that the farmer who let us use his land year on year now has a lot of cattle grazing in those fields."

She added: "It is unlikely we will ever return to Gisburn as we have spent a lot of money getting the course ready for this year."

One local business owner said: "The Gisburn point-to-point was one of the biggest dates in our calendar and it is a shame it won't be held here again this year. Thousands of people used to come for the weekend, so this will have an effect on local tourism and businesses."

The last Gisburn point-to-point meeting was held in April 2000 when the village was turned into a racecourse for the weekend.

Around 10,000 visitors turned out to watch the three-mile race, which was held annually to say "thank you" to the 700 farmers who allowed hunts to take place on their land throughout the season.

Michael Bannister, joint master of the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt, said: "We look forward to welcoming everybody and hope that we have a fine day and great fun."

Point-to-point racing is run on a local level under the jurisdiction of the Point-to-Point Owners' and Riders' Association and the Point-to-Point Secretaries' Association.

It originated more than a century ago when members of the local hunt challenged each other at the end of the season to race from one point to another, such as to a church steeple and back.

The event starts at 2pm. For more information call 01200 443566.