Celebrities are expected to turn out in force when York Racecourse hosts the 31st Timeform Charity Day tomorrow.

Stars from the world of sport and showbusiness have attended in previous years, including Leeds United players past and present and the cast of Heartbeat and Emmerdale.

Racecourse marketing director James Brennan is expecting more familiar faces to be among an anticipated 25,000 race-goers as fund-raising takes centre stage.

The day has raised £3 million for various charities over the years, including Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Fund-raising gets underway tonight with a glittering array of items up for grabs in an auction dinner at the Gimcrack Rooms, where the Timeform's Racing personality of the Year award will be announced.

The breeches worn by Mick Kinane in winning last week's Derby on Galileo and a trip to the Dubai World Cup next March are just two of the lots available.

Tomorrow's racing will include the William Hill Trophy, a £60,000 race for three-year-old sprinters, and the Queen Mother's Cup, the most prestigious race for lady amateur riders.

Despite overnight rain of five millimetres, Brennan stressed that the meeting was not in doubt.

The downpour had improved the conditions with the going for tomorrow officllay declared as good, good to firm in places.

Updated: 12:08 Friday, June 15, 2001