It is the highlight of the year for many fashion-conscious women, but did the latest ladies' day at the Ebor meeting at York Racecourse prove that the females of the region know their stuff in terms of style? Women's Editor Sarah Foster reports.

IT is a widely known fact that many women live for clothes - so what better chance to shine than at a racecourse ladies' day?

The sun was out, the sky was blue, and the going was therefore perfect for the females of the region to show their finery in York.

So were they equal to the challenge? The answer, definitely, was yes.

Some hats were showy, some sedate, but all were carefully thought out, with many outfits looking as if they had been designed by famous names. The vast kaleidoscope of colours ensured the view was never dull, and, in a fashion sense at least, it seemed the stakes were very high.

"One got the impression that a number of outfits had been researched and that several had been discarded before the final one was picked," said James Brennan, the racecourse's head of marketing and sponsorship.

"Race days, like weddings, are opportunities to dress up and you don't feel you're the only one. It's nice to have an excuse to wear a hat and ladies' day certainly provides it."

In terms of audience, the day was definitely a hit, with more than 32,000 people turning up to place their bets. Among visitors to the course who went there earlier in the week was US actress Linda Gray, best known as Dallas' Sue Ellen, who will be starring from tonight in Terms of Endearment at York's Theatre Royal.

The best-dressed woman on ladies' day was Carol Fawthrop, from West Yorkshire, who won the annual competition that has become a major feature. She scooped a three-night luxury break amid the sunshine of Dubai - which proved that style can be a passport to the finer things in life.

Mr Brennan said the day was very special for all who joined in the fun. "It's a festival occasion so the racing and the fashion go hand in hand. It's about coming and having a grand day out," he said