EYE-CATCHING hats and fancy frocks were on show as crowds headed to Hexham Racecourse to enjoy Ladies’ Day.

To enjoy the final race meeting before the summer break on Sunday, more than 2,000 people flocked to the racecourse to take advantage of the good weather.

Many visitors were suited and booted for the occasion, with a colourful array of headware and summer dresses making the decision of who would take home the competition prizes a difficult one to make.

Speaking on Monday, racecourse manager Robert Whitelock said: “Yesterday’s race meeting went extremely well. We were very fortunate we were blessed with warm weather – it was a very warm afternoon. We had just short of 2,500 people attending, which was a good day.

“A lot of families came to enjoy the day as well as well as people who came just for the racing, and there were quite a lot of people who came dressed for the competitions.”

Competitions took place for best dressed lady, best dressed couple, best hat and best dressed little miss, with the team from Saks Hexham judging and the prizes presented by ITV weather presenter Ross Hutchinson.

Best dressed lady went to Carole Billau who had travelled from Yarm to enjoy the day, while the best dressed couple prize was handed to mother and daughter Tracey and Rachel Howell from Bishop Auckland. Best hat was awarded to Diane Wilson from Newcastle, and Lihyla-Cole Irving from Dumfries took the prize for best dressed little miss.