RACING’S loss is York residents’ gain as they benefit from a free floral giveway.

York Racecourse had huge stocks of flowers ready to decorate Knavesmire for the Dante meeting which was due to take place from May 13 to May 15.

But it has had to cancel the prestigious three-day meeting after the British Horseracing Authority banned all racing until June.

Instead of putting the flowers into landfill or composting them, it has been putting them out for the public to collect.

Anyone has been able to pick up a tray of pansies while out on their daily exercise.

Racecourse staff have been putting them out at about 9am with the last ones due out this morning.

All the flowers are locally grown.

The racecourse is hoping to resume racing with the June Meeting on June 12 and 13.

It is also hoping to stage its most prestigious meeting, the four-day Ebor Meeting as scheduled from August 19 to August 22, as well as its Music Showcase meeting in July.

But it is advising racegoers to check the latest news on its website before booking tickets.