FLIMSY frocks were out in force at Knavesmire, as the clouds parted to let the sun beat down on the racing calendar's most high profile and glamorous meeting.

After a wet start to Royal Ascot at York, with Tuesday and Wednesday proving particularly dreary, there was a huge sigh of relief when the weather took a distinct turn for the better.

Macs and brollies were abandoned, rain-sodden lawns and windblown stalls were forgotten, and day four of the prestigious event brought smiles to the faces of punters basking in the sun and the warm breeze.

Kate Crockett and her 37 female friends from Birmingham were among the dozens of coach parties parked up in a field next to the race ground, tucking into champagne picnics.

"It is lovely, really nice and warm," she said, clutching a goblet of fizz. "We haven't brought brollies, we have just come as we are."

York-born Christine Chester, 38, who now lives in Preston, was enjoying the sunshine with three friends who travelled to York in limousine luxury.

"It is nice to come back, especially to an occasion like this, and when it's so lovely and warm," she said.

Across the field an all-male party had derobed for an informal game of football in the sunshine, while inside the course trade was brisk at the outdoor refreshment stalls.

Christina Nova at the Carte D'Or ice cream stall, next to the Knavesmire stand, said that business was up to three times busier than on other race days.

Lewis Clinton on the neighbouring stand, where strawberries and cream cost £3.50 a portion, said: "The first two days we were here the weather was awful. We sold all our stock, but we didn't chop many strawberries - only enough for about 200 portions throughout the day."

He was hoping to sell more than 600 punnets yesterday. "The sun is out so we are expecting to sell more. When it is raining, people don't want to eat strawberries."

Staff at the Pimms stall were rushed off their feet, pouring £16 jugs for thirsty customers.

Lucian Reed-Drake said: "Tuesday and Wednesday weren't very busy. It was much better on Ladies' Day and today is much busier. We are tending to sell several hundred jugs a day."

Updated: 12:46 Saturday, June 18, 2005