The owner of one of the world's oldest horse-racing grounds has won the right to keep ramblers off his land.

A Government inspector ruled the Countryside Agency blundered by including the Old Lewes Racecourse on a map of land open to walkers.

The South Downs area is the first in the country to be mapped under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, allowing the public an automatic right of way over some land.

Owner John Ffitch-Heyes, 60, appealed to the Planning Inspectorate when he realised the agency had included The Gallops.

He said: "We could not have continued training horses if people were allowed access over the land.

"The Countryside Agency was prepared to see those yards, employing 21 people and a full- time groundsman, go bankrupt."

Although the course closed in 1966, The Gallops continues to be used by top racehorse trainers, including two employed by the late Queen Mother.

Farmers began racing horses on the land in the 17th Century and Queen Anne rode there in the early-18th Century.

Open heath, moor and downland are the only types of land which can qualify under the right to roam legislation.

David Campion, of Clifford Dann chartered surveyors, who advised on the appeal, said: "Mr Ffitch-Heyes had no recourse once his land appeared on the map. The methodology didn't allow land owners to have any comeback. We also argued the land didn't qualify."

Mr Ffitch-Heyes said he was still fighting for £13,500 in costs.

He said: "It's not that we are against walkers. We have provided a footpath, a bridleway and a car park for their use."

A spokeswoman for the Countryside Agency said: "We felt the land type meant it qualified to be used in the map. The appellant disagreed and the planning inspector found in his favour."

Paul Millmore, director of the conservation group Society of Sussex Downsmen, said: "The right to roam policy is sound but it is too narrowly defined. Few areas in Sussex will qualify as the right kind of grassland."