A SPECIAL cover has been laid over the track at Uttoxeter racecourse in a bid to ensure that Saturday's Valentine's Day programme goes ahead.

Ground staff have covered around 15 acres of grass in a white fleece, which will remain in place until the morning of race day in the hope that it will prevent the ground from freezing.

With overnight temperatures forecast to be as low as minus 4C, without the covers the racing fixture would have little chance of taking place.

Keith Ottesen, clerk of the course, said: "We cannot guarantee that this will work but we're giving it our very best shot.

"We're expecting a big crowd on Valentine's Day with many couples having booked meals to make it a special occasion."

The fleece will be taken off on Saturday morning and will take staff around three hours to remove before racing starts at 1.15pm.

The other problem is that part of the track needs to dry out as some areas are currently waterlogged.

On the racecourse, the feature race is the £25,000 Totesport.com Lord Gyllene Handicap Chase, a tribute to the 1997 Grand National winner associated with Uttoxeter Racecourse.

For details, visit uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk.