A WORLD Champion powerboat racer has admitted conspiring to burn down a Suffolk Industrial Park.Jeremy Peachment pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson at Risby Business Park near Bury St Edmunds between January 1 and May 25 last year.

A WORLD Champion powerboat racer has admitted conspiring to burn down a Suffolk Industrial Park.

Jeremy Peachment pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson at Risby Business Park near Bury St Edmunds between January 1 and May 25 last year.

Peachment also admitted conspiracy to defraud Ace Insurance Company between January 1 and December 4.

The 38-year-old of Rushbrooke Lane, Bury St Edmunds arrived at Ipswich Crown Court smartly dressed in a light blue shirt with grey suit and tie.

The anxious looking former champion boat racer spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his two pleas of guilty.

The owner of the industrial estate, Peachment's father-in-law 63-year-old Robin Hurst, has denied the charges. Hurst, of Ruffle Baron Road, Fornham St Martin, is due to stand trial on January 6 2003.

The trial is expected to last for six weeks.

Judge John Holt released Peachment on bail and ordered a pre-sentence report at the end of January. Peachment will not be sentenced until the end of the trial. Judge Holt said: "All the court sentencing options will remain open."

More than 60 fire fighters from Bury, Newmarket and Ixworth fought the fire for five hours on May 24 last year. Despite their efforts the blaze caused an estimated £1 million of damage destroying the premises of nine small firms.

The Business Park owned by Hurst was built up over the last 21 years by his family. Peachment is a director of the site's main firm Paint Plant Marketing.