SPECTACULAR hats, eye-catching dresses - they were all out in force at Ladies' Day on Knavesmire.

Lady racegoers from across the country splashed out on some high glamour outfits, many by top designers, for the popular third day of the Ebor race meeting.

Unlike June's Royal Ascot meeting which was often beset by showery weather, it was a true summer's day as the sun beat down with not a raindrop in sight.

Seasoned racegoer Jane Ryan, from Chop Gate, near Stokesley, sported a cream rose hat by famous London milliner Philip Treacy for the occasion.

One of Treacy's creations famously adorned the head of Camilla Parker-Bowles on the day she married the Prince of Wales earlier this year.

The Hat Company, in The Pavement, York, and Elida Hats in Guisely were other popular headgear choices for the hundreds of women.

Ellen Wright, 21, from Heslington, York, was also dressed in designer wear, sporting a dazzling necklace by famed eccentric designer Vivienne Westwood.

Fashion-lover Ellen, at the races with mum Pam, said the three-stranded pearl necklace with sparkling centrepiece had been a birthday present. The rest of Ellen's outfit came from posh designer boutique Sarah Coggles, in Low Petergate, while her shoes were by Armani.

Pam said: "There have been some quite amazing outfits here."

Christine Mulligan, from Harrogate, wore an elegant black dress by Italian designers Dolce and Gabbana, teamed with a huge rose-coloured hat. "It's a lovely atmosphere here," she said.

"I don't think it's quite as busy as normal. I was here for Ascot - I come every year."

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Georgina Law, a pupil at Queen Margaret's School in Escrick, sported a salmon pink bag by top designer Balengiaga.

Georgina, at the races with sister Alice and friend Sophie Judd, said she came to the Ladies' day meeting every year.

"It's really good fun," she said. Some racegoers even thought yesterday's racing had surpassed June's Royal Ascot meeting.

Nikki Schofield, from Huddersfield, said: "It's much better than Ascot, the weather has helped."

Milliner Nikki bought her colourful orange and brown dress from a boutique in Wakefield, and made her feathery hat herself.

Although some visitors to yesterday's event had come to Ladies Day for the first time, many others were seasoned racegoers who had also enjoyed Royal Ascot weeks before. Rachael Walsworth, 37, from Leeds, sporting a pink sequinned dress by Emma Somerset, said yesterday's sunny weather made the day more enjoyable than it had been in previous years.

"Last year it was very cold," she said.

"The sunshine makes a big difference. Ladies' Day seems to get busier every year."

Friend Rachel, said: "We come every year.

"The weather has been fantastic."

One of the biggest parties to attend the occasion was a group of 16, who had come from Bridlington for the day.

Marilyn Hornby, Chrissie Stubbings, Gifty

Gresham, Koo Stewart and Nathakan Clark, all from the coastal town, agreed the day had been "fantastic".

Ladies Day was the busiest race day at this year's Ebor meeting - with nearly 27,000 people turning up to enjoy the event.

Racecourse spokesman James Brennan said this year's Ladies' Day total was about average compared with previous years.

" It's a little down on last year, but it's a bit up on some other years," he said.

"There have been so many stunning outfits here today.

"It really was a marvellous spectacle of colour."

Traffic measures put in place for the Ebor race meeting were pronounced a success by council chiefs.

Council roads boss Peter Evely said he was "really pleased" with the arrangements put in place to combat congested roads.

A number of punters were handed penalty charge notices after parking in no waiting zones near the racecourse.

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Updated: 11:24 Friday, August 19, 2005