A CARNIVAL atmosphere descended on a North East care home as residents donned their finery to enjoy their own version of Aintree’s famous Ladies Day.

The highlight of the event at The Grange Care Home, in Darlington, was the ‘best hat’ competition in which residents paraded around in hats they had spent a week making.

Activities leader Jamila Malik joked that the ladies’ hats were “more like sculptures” and said the competition involved much jesting and flirting between the male judges and female competitors.

Three male members of staff also embraced the Ladies Day spirit by agreeing to don feather boas and make-up in return for sponsorship money to put towards future activities for residents.

Miss Malik said: “It was amazing; I had a vision in my head about how it was going to go, but it was even better that I’d hoped.

“At first some of the residents didn’t really want to join in the parade, but as soon as it got going everybody got involved and had a wonderful time dancing around and flirting with the judges.

“They were wild!”