A second British racecourse was left teetering on the edge of extinction as Folkestone hosted its last fixture for the foreseeable future on Tuesday.

Just two days earlier, Hereford shut for business with owner Arena Racing Company (ARC) believing the 17 years remaining on the lease from the local council did not justify the venue being kept open.

Folkestone, another ARC course, is not said to be financially viable either but some faint hope remains that closing could only be a temporary measure.

The county of Kent now no longer has a racecourse following the closure of Wye in 1974 with Folkestone having staged meetings since 1898.

ARC claimed operations could continue if more than 800 homes were built on the site, with the funds being directed to update facilities and move the actual position of the course itself.

A proposal was submitted to the local council for the building but it was left out of their core strategy that will be passed on to the Secretary of State's inspectorate.

The council still say they are open to future discussions in order for the racecourse to remain open.

"Arena made clear in 2007 that the racecourse was not viable in its present state and we made a proposal for the redevelopment to the council, but the inspector didn't like it," ARC chairman Michael Howard said.

"If we can get some words in the core strategy proposal, which will be finalised when the inspector makes a decision in the next few months, then we could be in business.

"This means we can start talking to the council again, so we can keep the door open.

"Newbury proposed a redevelopment in order to make themselves financially viable, and that's what we hope to do.

"It would be very sad if it doesn't happen."