BACKPAGE BACKTRACK:THE GRAND National has been rescheduled to take place this afternoon amid "extensive security" at Aintree after Merseyside police and organisers agreed that this "great race should not be defeated by the IRA".

Liverpool's Assistant Chief Constable Paul Stephenson said security for the 150th race would be "extremely tight" and that contingency plans had been agreed if another bomb scare disrupted the 5pm meeting.

"We are giving details of the precise security precautions, but you can be assured that the security measures will be extensive. There will be a high police presence. Obviously, we cannot guarantee 100 per cent security, but we have taken every precaution and our number one priority is public safety."

However, a Merseyside police source confirmed the race would be cancelled if there was another bomb scare today. "We would have no choice. Every bomb call is taken seriously, even if they later turn out to be a hoax."

There will be free admission to the track. Special buses will ferry the race-goers to Aintree from the city centre, as no vehicles will be allowed at the course.

Spectators will also be individually searched by the police, and have been requested to bring some form of identification. It is understood anti-terrorism officers will monitor the crowds.

"The police entirely support the race being rescheduled, it is a national institution. It is extremely important that the Grand National takes place," said Stephenson.

However, two other races scheduled for Saturday at Aintree, the Chivas Regal Handicap and the Martell National Hunt Flat race, will not take place. Bookmakers stressed that all bets in the Grand National will stand.

The managing director of Aintree, Charles Barnett, said the majority of trainers were in favour of the race taking place and believed their horses were not too distressed to run.

"I am assured we can get the course ready in time. There has been a lot of damage to the plastic running rails, but the message we are sending out is that we wish to run this great race, it is part of our national heritage, an international event and we will go ahead," he said.

The IRA has not admitted responsibility for the bomb scare. But Stephenson said the two coded warnings received an hour before the race was due to start had included an authenticated IRA codeword.

No precise location had been stated. "This, of course, was deliberate to cause greater confusion. The search has been meticulous and time-consuming," he added.

No devices were found, but police carried out three controlled explosions on Saturday night. Over 70,000 people, 40,000 of them from outside the Liverpool area, fled the track after warnings.

Police imposed a strict midnight deadline for the 7,000 cars and hundreds of coaches to be collected. Drivers were frisked by officers and required to prove their identity before being individually escorted to their vehicles.

Liverpool's social services catered for 2,000 people yesterday, providing them with food and entertainment while they waited. "We've spent the day watching Star Wars and other films, which is all right for the kids, but a bit tedious for us," said Suzanne O'Brien from Coventry. "The annoying thing has been the lack of information."