DOG racing fans fear Westhoughton greyhound stadium -- the last independent track in the region -- is facing the threat of closure.

Almost 100 people held a demonstration outside the town hall last night after hearing rumours that the 50-year-old ground might be turned into a garden centre.

Some of the fans even brought along their dogs to join the protest. David Welding, of Chorley Road, Westhoughton, races at the track. He said: "This is the only stadium left around here. We're going to have to travel for miles if this shuts for good."

Some of the racers had travelled from as far as Yorkshire to join the demonstration.

Peter Eastwood, of Littleborough, said: "This is the nearest track to us. If they eventually close this, I'm seriously going to have to consider jacking the sport in.

"The next track is more than one hundred miles away. I just can't do it." Dog owner John Hewitt, from Preston, said he and other fans feared the track was about to shut down.

He said: "If it does close it will mean the end of independent greyhound racing in Lancashire."

Track Secretary Christine Crook has been given a four-week redundancy notice after 41 years of employment.

A Westhoughton estate agent has confirmed that offers of more than £300,000 are being considered.

But the owner of the track, Arthur Brightcliffe, said he could not make any comment about whether the stadium would stay open. Councillors on Westhoughton Town Council were last night looking at an application that would separate a house on the site from the greyhound track. But the applicant did not provide enough information and it was refused by the council. The applicant was given 14 days to provide more details

Dog owners believe this application, if successful, will be followed to a plan to change the use of the site.

A Bolton Council spokesman has said that no planning applications have been submitted to change the entire site's use.

One dog owner, James Speakman, aged 58, said: "I've been going to the Westhoughton track for 40 years.

"It'll be a sad day if it closes. It's heartbreaking. We're planning to send a petition to Bolton Council."

Another owner John Berry, of Hindley, said he feared dogs would have to be put down if the track was to close.

He said: "Greyhound owners love their dogs, but some might still be forced to put them down.

"There are no other independent tracks in the area and some owners might not be able to afford to keep them."