HEATON Park golf course has been forced to close again with its long term future now thrown into doubt.

The historic 18-hole course, along with is pitch and putt course and clubhouse all closed last October after the collapse of its previous owner, Mack Trading.

Interim operators Green Circle then stepped in to run the course on a temporary 12-month basis in November.

However it has been confirmed that the course will temporarily close this week, after the arrangement came to an end, ahead of a "review of its long-term future".

The move follows an unsuccessful tendering process with no potential permanent operators found who would be able to run the site without needing a subsidy from Manchester City Council.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council executive member for skills, culture and leisure, said: "We would like to thank Green Circle for their work over the past year, which has kept golf available in the park following the failure of the course's previous operator.

"We have not so far been able to identify an operator who can take on the course without requiring a subsidy from the council and will now review our options for the future of the site."