EAST Midlands Airport had to shut part of its runway after a giant fairground ride was put up at neighbouring Donington Park racetrack.

Airport bosses had to close 400m of the runway for 10 hours and put in place plans to divert two large cargo planes because of the hazard.

An airport official told of the incident at a hearing into the circuit's premises licence, which allows it to stage entertainment and sell alcohol.

Airport general manager Neil Robinson said Donington failed to notify the airport about the erection of structures such as the ride, telegraph poles, TV broadcast platforms and lighting columns.

He also raised issues over mobile phone masts, which can interfere with landing systems, lighting, which can encourage birds, and pyrotechnics and lasers, which can distract pilots.

Mr Robinson said: "A systematic management failure at the premises has led to a number of instances where the safe operation of aircraft could have been endangered."

The council review of the track's licence came just weeks after the circuit won the right to host the F1 British Grand Prix in a 10-year deal from 2010.

Mr Robinson said track bosses must, under the terms of the licensing conditions, give at least 28 days' written notice to the airport and wait for confirmation before installing structures. But that was not being done, he said.

He said that during June's MotoGP motorcycle race at the circuit, the airport was concerned about a fairground ride and seven eight-metre high telegraph poles put up "in close proximity to the runway" and infringing on airspace.

"As a result of these obstacles, the airport could not continue normal operations. The airport was forced to issue a notice to pilots to this effect and to declare a reduced runway length," he said

Plans to divert two Lufthansa cargo planes to another airport were drawn up but the embargo on large planes was lifted with two hours to spare.

Mr Robinson said that when problems arose with new structures at the circuit, the airport "took prompt action at all times to ensure the operation was safe". Phil Crier, representing Donington Park Leisure Ltd, described the licensing review – initially ordered after complaints from Leicestershire police - as a "humbling and embarrassing experience".

He said: "The management do accept there were significant failings on their part.

"They wish to assure the committee that they do take the safety and security of visitors, participants and employees seriously."

He said the hearing did not threaten the circuit's staging of the F1 Grand Prix.

"It's important to stress the future is secured and there are some exciting plans for development," he said.

The three-man North West Leicestershire District Council panel decided Donington Park could keep its liquor and entertainment licence.

But it imposed tougher conditions, forcing it to comply with police and airport requests.

Police applied for the review hearing after the park failed a string of underage alcohol test purchases in June, first at Download, then at the MotoGP.

Teenagers working undercover were sold alcohol at 14 bars, although they were refused drinks at a further 48.

Sergeant Sean Moore, the force's chief licensing officer, called it a "frankly shocking failure rate". He said: "There has been a lack of engagement by management with the police regarding event planning."

Under the new conditions, the park will now have to hire an event safety co-ordinator for each gathering of 20,000 or more people and submit an "aerodrome safeguarding plan" to the airport before major events.

It will formally adopt the Challenge 21 policy, under which anyone who does not look 21 must show identification before being served alcohol, and the premises supervisor will have extra training.

Nigel Smith, chairman of the licensing committee, said: "Donington Park is a venue of international renown and it is important that major events held there go ahead safely, in a way which prevents crime and disorder."

After the meeting, Martin Quilliam, Donington Park's events manager, said: "The reasons for the review are totally regrettable.

"But moving forward, there's a significant plan of improvement for the training of staff and the appointing of specialists in the field of health and safety."