The best known competitor in the world's oldest horse race has vowed it will not be affected by the foot and mouth outbreak.

"Galloping Grandad" Ken Holmes, of Cliffe, near Selby, competes in the Kiplingcotes Derby every year - and has won it a record nine times.

The race has been run across the gruelling four-mile course, on the Easy Yorkshire Wolds, near Londesborough, on the third Thursday of March every year since 1519.

Convention says if it does not go ahead then the race has to stop forever, but organisers say they are "gravely concerned" and will make a decision on Monday.

Only once before has the race been under threat, in 1947, when deep snow meant a farmer had to walk a horse the four miles.

The 1967 foot and mouth outbreak had cleared up in time for the race to be run safely.

Ken, 69, said: "Along those four miles you don't see one sheep, pig or cow. It is all cereal. I will be there, whether the race is official or unofficial. It will take an earthquake to stop me."

Trustee Guy Stephenson said: "We are aware Ken may decide to do something off his own bat, but if it is cancelled then that is for a good reason and that means no horses.

"It is sad and disappointing, but since foot and mouth got into Yorkshire we are having to think extremely carefully."

Guy said it looked likely a local farmer will follow the lead of his 1947 colleague, and lead a lone horse across the four miles.

He added: "If someone doesn't walk the course then that is the finish. We can't have that."

Updated: 12:03 Friday, March 09, 2001