IT'S official – Richard Harkness, of Ladbrokes has stated officially that they are not in negotiations to purchase Oxford Stadium.

The news came during during the Pall Mall meeting on Tuesday.

It followed rumours that have been circulating for the past 12 months.

A senior spokesman for the Greyhound Racing Association said “There have been no new developments for any of our stadia. It’s business as usual.”

It’s bad news for speedway enthusiasts, who were hoping for a more friendly attitude to the sport.

There’s more disappointment for motorcycle fans with the news that the two remaining flat track and quad racing events have been cancelled due to the organisers failing to provide adequate cover to stop the shale getting on to the greyhound track at last week’s meeting.

The racing office will be forced to revert back to ten-race programmes afterthe exits of trainers Michael Peterson and Nick Colton.

The racing strength is down to a bare 300 and open racing is set to continue on Thursdays.

The uncertainty of the future of the GRA tracks has been blamed for two trainers recently turning down the offer to operate at Sandy Lane.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain have extended their popular Owners Bonus Series for a further six months until December.