A DAY at the races in York is about to take on a family feel – and ticket sales are on the rise.

Next weekend sees the return of The Press Family Raceday, as a quality line-up of runners at York Racecourse is mixed with a range of entertainment for parents and youngsters.

The event on Sunday, September 4, will feature special appearances by children’s television characters Captain Barnacles and Timmy Time’s Timmy The Lamb, as well as an interactive racing zone and bouncy castle.

Racecourse chiefs are now turning their attention to the preparations for the Family Raceday, the only Sunday meeting in their calendar, following the success of this year’s Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, and advance ticket sales are already about 20 per cent ahead of last year’s figure.

A special early bird rate of £7 for the grandstand, paddock and course enclosure is available for those planning to experience the racing drama and family fun, but time is running out to take advantage of the offer, which closes at 4pm tomorrow.

“Our team are now planning where Captain Barnacles is going to appear, arranging a changing room for Timmy the Lamb and checking we have the power in the right places for the bouncy castle,” said James Brennan, the racecourse’s marketing manager.

“They always make the arrangements for the Family Raceday with a smile on their faces, and when you’re having conversations about how to get Captain Barnacles from A to B, it’s impossible not to have a smile.

“This is always an event which everybody looks forward to as the last hurrah of the summer. A lot of people working in hotels, restaurants, bars and other businesses might not have had the chance to come to the racecourse at other meetings this year, so this is the opportunity the Family Raceday provides.”

Racegoers can bring picnics to enjoy in the course enclosure, take advantage of the racecourse’s picnic hamper cloakroom and see the horses up close in the parade ring, while a relaxed County Stand dress code means men do not need to wear a jacket and tie.

Advance booking secures a £3 saving on entrance to the grandstand and paddock, with gates opening at 11.15am. The first race is at 1.50pm and the last race starts at 5.30pm. To book, phone the ticket hotline on 01904 620911 or log on to yorkracecourse.co.uk.