ESSEX'S new racecourse has been told to limit the number of people who use its grandstand on health and safety grounds.

Last week Great Leighs racecourse was issued with a safety certificate and a prohibition notice to restrict numbers to less than 500 people, because the grandstand is not yet complete.

Pippa Cuckson, director of communications, said the plan had always been to limit numbers because work is still in progress.

Measures have been put in place to address health and safety concerns in time for the official opening to the public on May 28.

Roy Carter, head of legal services at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), said: "ECFRS is working closely with the race event organisers, Essex County Council trading standards and building inspectors to overcome some significant fire safety hurdles on the site.

"It is due to open to the public on May 28 and the venue, at this time, is considered by trading standards as incomplete for its intended use and, as a consequence, a prohibition notice has been served. The notice has been issued by trading standards as they have jurisdiction for sports stadiums of this size."

Ms Cuckson said: "It's nothing life-threatening and they have been happy for us to have a limited number of people."

Tickets for the first public meeting are selling quickly, at £20 a head.