AFTER 308 and 314 days respectively, horse racing and competitive cricket were back in Worcester yesterday.

Last summer's floods meant that yesterday's action at Pitchcroft were the first races in the city since June 20. And Worcestershire cricket fans saw their team play a competitive match at New Road for the first time since June 14.

The months that have followed have been long and arduous for the racecourse and the cricket club and the many people who rely on these organisations for their living.

The two sporting venues have lost an estimated £1.5 million between them as a result of the summer floods. The cost to Worcester in terms of a reduced number of visitors bringing trade to the city is difficult to estimate but we suspect goes well into six figures.

A huge amount of work has taken place to get both venues ready for staging professional sport again. Last night's race meeting featured a hurdles card because the chase track is still not fully recovered. Meanwhile, the New Road pitch has been completely re-laid since the floods.

Yesterday was great news for Worcester. Racing and cricket are vital components of our city's sporting and economic life, particularly during the spring and summer months. It is wonderful to have both venues back in action. Our hope now - and we suspect it is one shared by everyone in Worcester - is that the racecourse and the cricket club now enjoy an uninterrupted summer of sport.