For more than four decades, remote-controlled cars have raced around an Aberdeenshire track, often topping speeds of 75mph on the straights.

In its heyday, the circuit was the largest in Europe, regularly hosting the best drivers and huge crowds.

Membership of the Stonehaven and District Radio Car Club remains stable, but while the tarmac surface is iconic among racers, it’s also become the club’s Achilles’ heel.

Off-road’ has become the most popular form of model-car racing, and while the club has a temporary track, it lacks a permanent one.

It believes the only option is to build a new off-road track to ensure the finishing line doesn’t come into sight for the historic club.

Chris Briggs, club chairman, said: “There are a lot of people who live in Stonehaven who remember coming down as youngsters – now they want to get their children involved.

“In reality, if we want the club to be here for another 30 years it needs some serious investment.

“When we used to have the larger races, you would have 100 people travel up. I feel we’ve lost that a little bit.”