Cheltenham fears racing festival will be abandoned

Hoteliers in Cheltenham left high and dry by the postponement of the National Hunt Festival remain sceptical the rescheduled horse races will actually go ahead.

The event, which normally attracts 150,000 race-goers and generates £45m in revenue, was due to run from 13 to 15 March.

It has been moved to 17-19 April, just after the Easter holiday.

Sarah Harris, joint owner of the town's 25-bedroom Cotswold Grange, said her hotel, which normally made £30,000 during race week, was practically empty last week.

She is half-full for the new dates.

Richard Price, general manager of the 75-bedroom Carlton hotel, said the postponement had cost him 140 guests and £60,000 in business during what was normally the busiest week of the year.

About 85% of his race-going guests have transferred their bookings to the new week.

Price said he was keeping his fingers crossed it would not be called off again.

He said he would refund 50% of his guests' deposits if this happened.

At the weekend there was a confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth at nearby Sandhurst in Gloucestershire.