SUNSHINE and smiles accompanied a special event at one of the region’s top sporting venues today (August 27).

Sedgefield Racecourse hosted the Roflow Ladies Evening in support of the Great North Air Ambulance and environmental engineering company, Roflow, drawing mammoth crowds.

Hundreds of impeccably dressed women - and men - flocked to the County Durham course to enjoy seven races and an evening of entertainment fronted by television celebrity and radio DJ, Vernon Kay.

Melissa Hogan, commercial manger, said: “This is a really popular fixture. There are lots of ladies here today, maybe because this is the first time we have had as big a name celebrity as Vernon Kay.”

The course laid on a photo booth, wine tasting and a number of champagne bars, with a DJ set from Mr Kay beginning at 8pm. Singers, Phil Fearon from the band, Galaxy and Baby D D entertained the post-race crowds.

Ms Hogan added: “Our aim today is to get the ladies involved with racing. It is also a great excuse to dress up.”

A number of prizes, including £500 for first-place, were awarded to the winners of the ‘best-dressed competition’.

Megan Timms, a student at Northumberland University, who came with friends, said: “I am not looking forward to making a fortune, but I do like to get dressed up for the day.”