IT WAS a weekend of mixed fortunes for racegoers at the York Racecourse Music Showcase, as heavy rain and thunderstorms forced the last minute cancellation of Sir Tom Jones' performance on Friday.

Thousands of disappointed fans were told shortly before the Welsh singer was due on stage that he had been unable to make the journey from London to York, with many taking to social media to express their anger at the 50 per cent refund offered by the racecourse.

In this exclusive video, James Brennan, head of marketing for the racecourse, said the singer had attempted to fly from a heliport at Battersea, then Luton and Stanstead airports, "but the storms seemed to constantly be blocking his path", before the cancellation was announced at 8.16pm.

He said: "People have said 'you should have told us earlier, well, again, just to clarify, it wouldn't have made any difference to that refund scenario.

"I'm conscious that the social media world is making all sorts of conspiracy theories. From our side, all I can do is assure people that the only time we knew there was a challenge was 7.12pm when we got a message that there might just be a concern about Sir Tom being able to get to us. For the next hour, we had his people trying to find a solution to get him to us."

As these pictures show, Saturday's event was a more positive event, with only the occasional blustery downpour mixed in with bright sunshine and fair temperatures, while Boyzone took to the stage as planned to mark their 25th anniversary in front of about 30,000 racegoers and fans.

Friday's customers in the the County Stand, Grandstand & Paddock, and Clocktower Enclosure are eligible for a 50 per cent refund. Those who booked in advance, direct with York Racecourse will automatically receive the refund, through the method that they originally paid, while customers who paid on the gates should return their badge or ticket to “Sir Tom Jones Refunds, York Racecourse, YO23 1EX”.