THE Tyne Valley, in our opinion, is home to one of the best racecourse settings in the country.

The small racecourse at Yarridge Heights is a gem of a local course, and hundreds of people would agree.

Hexham Racecourse has seen action for more than 130 years when it is believed racing really took place in the town in 1890.

When the sun is out, there are not too many better places to be then at the racecourse, soaking up the weather and shouting your backed horse around the course - mind, it does get plenty of cold weather and wind too!

As racing resumed at Yarridge for the first time this year, we have delved back into our archives to have a look at one of the most popular annual fixtures at Hexham - Ladies' Day.

Each year, the good ladies of the North-East dress up in their Sunday best to make the day a glamorous one.

And they are not alone in that neither, as the male punters also make an effort to play their part in added glitz to the occasion.

Over the years, a number of prizes have been given out for the best dressed racegoers.

Whether it be best hat, best turned out or best dressed young attendee, the stakes are high in the competition. There is even a contest where the judges chose the best jockey!

Ladies' Day is usually Hexham's busiest fixture of the year, and it is easy to see how when so many people make such an effort.