Glamorous headgear and glitzy outfits forged to the head of the field and sent the snappers wild, as Nadia Jefferson-Brown discovered.

THE going was drizzly to miserable, but the weather failed to dampen the style at Royal Ascot in York.

Among those on parade was Joan Brown, from Chorley Wood, who cut a dash in an Ungaro white jacket with a matching skirt and hat by London milliner Siggi.

Clutching a parasol, the 61-year-old said: "The hat is lovely to wear, but keeps slipping. I am a huge fan of fashion and am loving it here - cameras seem to be snapping around me the whole time. This year my outfit is more My Fair Lady than ever."

Patricia Lee, whose husband, Simon, is vicechancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University, was wearing a dress made entirely of men's ties.

"I make all my husband's ties and used 29 of them to create this dress. It is a bit rude though - I didn't sew it far enough up the back and it rides up!" she revealed.

Robert Binns, 14, was trying out a top hat, complemented by a pink cravat which he found at Sandra's in Malton with his dad, Craig, a fish farmer from Pickering.

Mancunian Lorelle Leach, 24, was showing off her own hats with friends Krystle Gore, 21, and Chloe White, 19. "Fascinators and headpieces are the thing and we wanted to be summery and defy the weather," she said.

Joanne Batchelor, 26, from Dunnington, chose a delicate bundle of white fluff on a headband with far-reaching white feathers. "I didn't want a big hat because it is quite heavy to carry around all day," she said.

Mum-of-two Claire Sadler, who chose a purple and orange Prada outfit, said: "My husband Richard saw it and thought "wow". I tried it on and it just seemed bold. That's me - bright and bold."

Beverley Spalding, from Bardsea, wore a pistachio green, knee-length dress. "This outfit is about having loads of fun," she said. "It is bright but not too over the top.

I had two outfits specially made for today. This was made by Tortoise, in Leeds. The hat is by Missy in Leeds. I sent my husband looking for a clear brolly so everyone can see the hat through it."

She added: "I am so impressed the northern girls have done us proud. Even the weather hasn't put anyone off." Nick Maskey, 44, a joiner from Doncaster, created a stir with an "umbrella hat" topping his crown.

He said: "I bought it in Tenerife. It is the only one here today. I am going to wear it all day. It protects me outside from the rain while inside it is a hat."

Updated: 10:06 Thursday, June 16, 2005