CASTLE Combe Racing Circuit's management is this week weighing up whether to appeal against the decision to uphold a noise abatement order.

The circuit had appealed against the notice, served by North Wiltshire District Council in January, after complaints about noise levels during June's Formula Three and British GT weekend.

However, Chippenham magistrates dismissed the appeal last week following a three-day trial.

The circuit must now decide whether it is willing to fund a costly appeal to the High Court.

Following last week's dismissed appeal, the circuit was ordered to pay costs of £27,429.53, plus VAT.

Rodney Gooch, marketing director at Castle Combe, said: "We don't really know yet if we are going to appeal.

"We are going through the magistrates' wording so we know just how it will affect us."

The circuit's directors fear the order, which forces them to cut the maximum noise level generated by a car from 114 decibels to 108db on the 12 race days held throughout the year, will drive prestigious events away.