A resurgent Silverstone will play host to four major events this season after securing a short-term deal to stage the British round of the FIM Superbike World Championship.

Along with British Superbikes, World Superbikes has now joined the growing list of high-profile events to be staged at Silverstone in 2010 and will run over the weekend of July 30 to August 1.

With £5m spent on developing the new 'Arena Circuit' at Silverstone specifically for bikes, the investment is paying off.

"We are delighted World Superbikes will be back at Silverstone this year," said Richard Phillips, the circuit's managing director. "There was a very real risk Britain wouldn't have a round of the Superbike World Championship in 2010."

Phillips added: "With seven of Britain's best riders racing in this year's championship, it would have been a travesty if they hadn't had a home race, and a home crowd, to perform in front of.

"We are thrilled that Silverstone has been able to step in and keep the race on the 2010 calendar.

"We were already looking forward to seeing MotoGP and British Superbikes on the new Arena Grand Prix circuit in 2010, so to add World Superbikes to that list is fantastic."

Just 18 months ago, Silverstone chiefs were left glum-faced after losing the contract to host Formula One to Donington Park, which was poised to end a 23-year run at the Northamptonshire venue.

However, they swiftly poached the British round of FIM MotoGP World Championship from Donington Park, whose leaseholders ultimately went into administration after failing to secure the funds required to redevelop the track to F1 standard.

Late last year, Silverstone Circuits Limited announced the signing of a new 17-year deal to stage the British Grand Prix with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.