JOHN Grogan has joined the growing list of prominent figures demanding the BBC think again over proposals to halve the coverage of racing on the channel.

The Selby MP, who is chair of Westminster’s all-party BBC group, told a House of Commons debate he hoped the corporation would “maintain its current commitment to racing in future contracts”.

There are fears the BBC, who screened 79 days of racing at the start of the decade, wants to halve its 29 days of commitments – showing a likely maximum of 14 from 2010.

Grogan echoed the comments of Ryedale MP John Greenway who told The Press that Parliament’s all-party racing committee, of which he is joint-chair, was “very, very unhappy” about the proposals.

Grogan told MPs in an adjournment debate: “The BBC is threatening to halve its coverage of racing, and I think that that would be a great pity. For many of the people who watch its racing coverage, it is the mainstay of their BBC viewing, and 75 per cent of racing fans who watch it on TV come from the social classes C2, D and E.

“I hoped that this will not be the last year that the BBC shows the Welsh Grand National. It is one of the few bits of live sport on terrestrial television over Christmas.

“I hope that the BBC will maintain its current commitment to racing in future contracts.”

Should the rumoured cuts be imposed, National Hunt racing would virtually disappear from BBC screens with the channel centring its coverage on the prestigious Derby, Royal Ascot and Grand National meetings.

The Press reported yesterday how Greenway, an influential personality in racing circles and a consultant for the Tote, was one of 22 MPs who had signed an Early Day Motion protesting at the proposed changes.

A national campaign, which has been backed by legendary commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan, has also been launched.

After the Commons debate, Grogan said: “I would hope the BBC thinks again. I don’t think the rights costs, or the production costs, are necessarily that huge.

“I personally am looking forward to watching Ascot and Haydock today, along with the Welsh National on December 27 – traditional BBC fixtures.

“On the positive side, we are talking about 2010 and so, whatever is signed over the next few weeks, there is time to look at this again if we can build the pressure.”