Pop and racing cancelled on Downs

Racing at Epsom Downs was cancelled after the London attacks

Evening racing was called off at Epsom after bosses decided it would be wrong to hold an entertainment event in the shadow of the London bombings.

Transport chaos in Surrey added to the decision to abandon Thursday's meeting.

"It wasn't a decision we took lightly, but a huge part of our clientele comes from the London area," said clerk of the course on the Downs, Andrew Cooper.

Discussions were being held with pop star Ronan Keating, who was to perform after the racing, to fix another date.

Switchboard jammed

Managing director Stephen Wallis said: "There will be those who say that we have given way to the terrorists, but the reality is that we just didn't feel it was right.

"Our two switchboards have been jammed with calls for the past couple of hours and we have had only two complaints about the decision.

"Our heartland is suburban London and we felt that there are people who need to make more important journeys than getting to the races."

The British Horseracing Board said it supported Epsom's decision.

"Our first concern is not for racing but for the innocent victims who were going about their daily lives," said managing director Greg Nichols.