A £30 MILLION scheme to build the north's first all-weather horse racing course has been unveiled by a Pocklington millionaire.

The proposal would transform the town's airfield into a floodlit track with modern viewing facilities, and is the brainchild of Reg Bond.

The owner of tyre distributor Bond International, based on the airfield's industrial estate, has already won the backing of Malton-based Equine Racing Ltd, which represents every flat racing jockey in the country.

Early discussions have been carried out with trainers and with the management of York Racecourse, who could become involved.

Mr Bond said: "I have been looking to see if an all-weather stadium would be viable, and it seems the answer to that is a resounding yes.

"The next stage is to speak with developers and the landlords of the property and, if it's a goer after that, funds will be raised and the ball will start rolling on planning permission applications.

"It is still very much in the early stages. I have been having discussions to see if it was viable, and the news got out earlier than I had intended."

If built, the Pocklington racecourse would be only the fourth all-weather facility in the country.

The others are at Southwell, in Nottinghamshire, Wolverhampton and Lingfield, in Surrey.

Mr Bond said: "I have a string of racehorses myself, and to take them to the all-weather course in Lingfield means a five hour drive down and five hour drive back. From Scotland it's even worse.

"There's an unconnected outline planning application gone in for a hotel and conference centre on the airfield and there's already Wolds Gliding Club there with a lovely airstrip. The facilities are already there.

"I have a meeting arranged with the landlord at which I'll find out what land's available. I would speak to businessmen about financing it after we got planning permission, but I wouldn't have thought I'd have trouble finding backers."

After getting permission, he would need to get the go-ahead to hold fixtures from the British Horse Racing Board.

Board spokesman Richard Haler said that was more likely to be granted if the scheme tapped into new markets, such as night time racing.

Glenn Eddery, the cousin of famous jockey Pat Eddery and the frontman of Equine Racing Ltd, approached York Racecourse earlier this week on behalf of Mr Bond.

James Brennan, course spokesman, said: "I took a phone call from Mr Eddery earlier this week. He told me only the bare bones and left with a request that we meet with him and his people to explore it further.

"I told him that we would be interested in doing that, and I would raise it with (clerk to the course) John Smith next week when he returns from holiday.

"To a certain extent, we are honour-bound to talk to Mr Eddery to see if the proposal is in the good of racing in the York area. It could be, but it might not be.

"We are committed to York Racecourse, and any involvement wouldn't have any effect on that."

Pocklington airfield was used during the Second World War.

Dave Wilcox, principal development control officer with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "It's an area suitable for something, but nobody has even suggested this use."

Eddie Room, management board member of the Wolds Gliding Club, said the club had not been approached about the plans.

Updated: 08:45 Friday, February 01, 2002