The stricken roof at Epsom Downs Racecourse endured another battering last night but no further damage was reported.

It emerged this morning that the £23m Duchess' Stand has been sealed off to the public for safety reasons, with a barrier being erected to prevent people straying in from the adjacent Queen's Stand.

Contractors were on site again this morning and, if the weather permits, will be working to secure the damaged sheets of metal to make the area fully safe.

A scaffold is due to be erected to allow contractors to remove the damaged section but this again depends on the weather which is forecast to improve this afternoon but worsen again tomorrow.

Epsom and Ewell Council, is responsible for the building under the dangerous structures section of the Building Act 1984, and said that an independent surveyor has been appointed to inspect the building and ensure that repair work is of an acceptable standard.

A council spokesman said: “Our building control surveyors visited the grandstand site yesterday (Tuesday, January 3) upon being notified of the incident; the roads in front of the grandstand had already been closed off by the police.

“We are satisfied that the site owners are taking all appropriate precautions in the interests of public safety.

“The Duchess Stand is out of bounds to the public and a barrier is to be erected to prevent users of the Queens Stand entering the adjacent site.”