The British Horseracing Authority has given the go-ahead for Great Leighs to stage its first meeting this Sunday.

The Essex course is Britain's first new racecourse in 81 years but construction has been beset with delays.

A BHA inspectorate visited on Thursday and gave the course the green light after a few issues had been resolved.

"Great Leighs has passed this morning's inspection and declarations for Sunday's fixture will be accepted," said BHA spokesman Paul Struthers.

"Minor preparatory work will continue. However, barring unforeseen circumstances, racing at Great Leighs on Sunday goes ahead."

The first race meetings at the all-weather course will be by invitation only as officials test the infrastructure.

The first public race days will be on 28 and 29 May.

The course was originally scheduled to open its doors in October 2006 but a series of delays hampered its progress.

A new date in March was set for the course's opening but bad weather forced officials to reschedule again and it will now open its doors this weekend.