PREPARATIONS are well under way for the first Sunday race meeting at York Racecourse.

The Evening Press-sponsored event, on September 3, is intended to be a fun day out for all the family and is particularly geared towards first-time racegoers.

James Brennan, marketing manager for the racecourse, said: "We've had things like open days in the past on a Sunday, but this is the first time we've ever had a fully-fledged race meeting.

"In 1995 the law was changed to allow betting on a Sunday and we wanted to be sure a full Sunday race meeting was something we wanted to do. We thought the Millennium was the ideal time to do our first one."

The event will have high-profile races with famous name jockeys competing for big prize money, but it will also have a fun side for beginners along with jargon-free announcements.

The Equicisor, a kind of horse-shaped bucking bronco used by jockeys for training, will take pride of place behind the betting ring for public use throughout the day.

And at 1pm the "Yorkies" Free Fall Parachute Display Team from the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire will drop in while the First Dragoons Cavalry & Artillery will show off their equestrian skills between 12.45pm and 1.15pm.

The racing museum will also be open.

Mr Brennan said: "It will be a relaxed day with very serious competitive racing at its heart."

Evening Press editor Liz Page said: "On behalf of the Evening Press I'd like to thank all our readers, race sponsors, staff and advertisers for supporting this day's events.

"And a special thank-you goes to the staff at York Racecourse for their unfailing helpfulness and enthusiasm."

Full coverage of the September 3 events will appear in the Evening Press on September 4.

For discounted entry, subject to ticket availability, keep collecting your buy-one-get-one-free tokens appearing daily in the Evening Press until August 26.

Three tokens are required for each free ticket and more details and a ticket application form will be published regularly until that date.

Racegoers can also pay as they enter the racecourse or write to the Ticket Office, York Race Committee, The Racecourse, York, YO23 1EX, enclosing a cheque. Full-price tickets in the County Stand are £20 and tickets in Tattersalls cost £10 each.