Today the public get the first chance to enjoy racing at Great Leighs, the first new racecourse to open in Britain for 80 years.

Although Great Leighs staged its first fixture last month, admission was by invitation only as the racecourse was put through its paces.

But today is the racecourse's official opening and the public will have the chance to enjoy the new facilities and rub shoulders with the likes of legendary jockey Lester Piggott and racing TV pundit John McCririck, who are both expected to be at the meeting.

Great Leighs is the dream of owner and promoter John Holmes, and is one of only three floodlit racecourses in the UK - and the only racecourse in Europe with a planned equestrian park.

Mr Holmes has redeveloped the 165-acre Essex County Showground in Moulsham Hall Lane, Great Leighs, with the £3.3 million purchase of Moulsham Hall Farm taking the site to 430 acres, and the phased racecourse development is expected to eventually cost £40 million.

When complete, it will have: l state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities l world-class, floodlit all-weather oval racecourse l grandstand facilities geared to evening racing l on-site training yards, giving young trainers the chance to get a foot on the ladder.

Leading Newmarket trainer John Gosden said: "It is world class, the best all-weather in the UK and as good as you'd get anywhere else in the world."

Fellow trainer Gay Kelleway added: "There hasn't been a new racecourse in my lifetime, so it gave me a real buzz to come here.

"It will take all-weather to a new level. It should go global; it's built like an American track and providing the prize-money is on offer, it's going to attract a lot of interest from overseas, not just Britain and Ireland.

"It's in a very good catchment area to attract new owners and syndicates, and I shall be keen to set up a satellite yard down here."

Great Leighs has a floodlit, left-handed oval Polytrack of more than eight furlongs, and a turf track will be seeded on the inside.

There are separate spur starts for races of seven and eight furlongs, so the first bend will normally only be ridden in races of nine furlongs or over.

Tickets for the first public racedays at Great Leighs, today and tomorrow, areon sale priced at £20, with limited availability VIP packages for lunch, racing and the evening party at £100.

To book, call 01245 362412.

Admission is by advance ticket purchase only and tickets will not be on sale on the gate.