Musselburgh has been granted a new licence to ensure racing can continue at the Scottish track in 2019.

The Edinburgh circuit's future was thrown into doubt on several occasions earlier this year following a well-publicised dispute between East Lothian Council and the Lothians Racing Syndicate.

Together the two bodies form the Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee, which is responsible for the management and operation of the track.

The British Horseracing Authority initially granted Musselburgh a temporary licence, which expired in April following several meetings between East Lothian Council and Lothians Racing Syndicate, who failed to reach agreement in finding a way forward.

The BHA rejected the council's wish to begin running the course through a committee made up of four council members and two racing experts, which meant the Edinburgh track was unable to stage meetings unless a solution was found.

However, the ruling body later extended the temporary licence until the autumn and has now confirmed a new licence has been issued meaning racing can take place up to and including the track's final fixture of the Flat season on October 15.

The BHA said in a statement: "The BHA board has granted Musselburgh racecourse a new licence for the period of January 1 to October 15, 2019, whilst the public procurement process to appoint a new third party operator for the racecourse is on-going.

"The BHA will remain in close contact with Musselburgh racecourse and East Lothian Council regarding the progress of the process."

The next scheduled fixture at Musselburgh is a valuable jumps card on New Year's Day.