A racecourse in Lincolnshire has one of the worst horse safety records in the country, new figures reveal.

Market Rasen Racecourse, owned by the Jockey Club, was ranked among the worst seven courses for the number of animal deaths over the past two years.

It has been the scene of five horse fatalities in the 12 months up to March this year and seven during the previous year.

All 12 deaths occurred during a programme of 37 days racing.

Six-year-old Wilhewispa and Joshuas Gold (seven) – both geldings died on the same day in September last year.

Wilhewispa collapsed and died after completing the 2.25-mile course, including 12 jumps.

Joshuas Gold was brought down during the race and later put down by a vet.

A month earlier, a horse called Joeys Delight was destroyed after it broke a leg.

National charity Animal Aid said a total 178 horses were killed at Britain's 60 racecourses in the past year, compared with 167 in the previous 12 months.

But Market Rasen Racecourse clerk Nick Patton said the safety of horses and jockeys was "paramount".

"We work very closely with the RSPCA and the Horse Racing Authority, both of which inspect us regularly," he said.

"We're licensed for everything from how many horses we're allowed to enter into each race to the standard of the turf and how many vets and horse ambulances we have to have on site. Plus horses are inspected in the paddock before they are allowed out.

"No sport is without risk but we do everything we can to minimise it."

Mr Patton also said that every animal death or injury was investigated.

For more on Market Rasen Racecourse, plus a table of the best and worst 10 racecourses in Britain according to Animal Aid, see Saturday's Echo.