A DISPUTE between the organisers of the British Motorcross Grand Prix, and Winchester City Council has been resolved.

The row has been hanging over the event which is expected to attact 30,000 spectators. Winchester City Council was all revved up because race promoters wanted to build earthworks to create jumps at Matterley Basin near Cheesefoot Head.

With just a few days to go before the Grand Prix on June 17-18, race promoter Steve Dixon and the council have reached a compromise.

Mr Dixon's team can create the jumps, but they must use existing chalk on site and then remove the jumps immediately after the event, which is expected to attract 30,000 spectators.

Mr Dixon said of the last-minute compromise: "It is brilliant news. We will be on our best behaviour to put on a good event and promote Winchester, my home town.

"The city council has taken a sensible decision. We have compromised to build a course that is as natural as possible. It may even be better than the one we originally planned."

Mr Dixon, who runs a Grand Prix racing team based in Swanmore and the company Bike It Promotions, have the rights to the British Grand prix until 2009. A council spokesman said: "Rather than allowing the race promoter to bring in a lot of earth they are using the existing topsoil and maximising the natural contours of the land."

Another sticking point was the proposal to bring in material for a hard-standing area. Now temporary matting will be laid instead, said the spokesman.

The same course is due to be used on September 23-24 for the Motocross of Nations.