Colchester Harriers' senior men's team has criticised Colchester Council and the Army after they were relegated from division three of the Southern Track League.

The Harriers, after five successive promotions, had their relegation confirmed at a boiling hot St Ives.

The club's 250 athletes are only allowed to train for four hours of the week at their Garrison track, which is owned by the army.

Head coach Dave Wright accused those who run the track of "shoddy handling of athletics", adding: "This situation is laughed at by other Essex clubs who have continual use of their tracks.

"Colchester cannot even allow their athletes into the track let alone supply any new equipment or support."

Jonathan Dixon, the council's recreation and development officer, said a pilot scheme to open the track on Mondays and Thursdays had just been started in a bid to help young athletes.

He said: "We do try our best to help athletics but unless clubs speak to us as a council we can't help them."

Col Brian Davenport, of the Army, was unavailable for comment.

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