They came in for harsh criticism from some quarters, but overall the ladies at Royal Ascot this year proved they were just as stylish as their southern counterparts. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings reports.

THEY arrived everyday in all their colourful finery. Indeed some London-based fashionistas appeared shocked by the general chic attire sported by the women of Ascot during the week - as if they expected them to turn up in cowboy boots and gypsy skirts.

The paparazzi camped outside the Royal Enclosure entrance appeared keen to fuel the stereotype that women from the North had no class as they narrowed in on heaving bosoms, tattoos and bare legs. And they got their photographs.

Two poor women in particular found themselves in the newspapers for all the wrong reasons. One appeared looking tearful on the front pages of a local newspaper having fallen out of her dress after a spat with another girl.

The other lady was pictured in a national newspaper flaked out on the grass, with various top hats casting disapproving stares.

But as anyone who attended Ascot during the week will know, from the pomp around the opening day to the colour and splendour of Ladies Day, the women arriving at York had turned on the glamour and glitz this year.

They favoured hot pinks, pale greens and aquas with the trend for feathered headpieces and small hats rather than traditional wide-brimmed affairs. On most young women, the flesh on show was restricted to bare arms and the odd thigh.

There were comments made about bare legs but the majority had invested in a fake tan for the day, along with perfectly made up hair and manicured nails. Attention to detail was everything.

There even seemed to be fewer novelty hats this year - aside of course from Betty Allison, of Billingham who looked a picture in her Angel of the North ensemble and various ladies from national newspapers, one supporting a hat for London's Olympic bid and another the Make Poverty History campaign.

Some took their inspiration from nature, such as Channel 5 weathergirl Lara Lewington with her dragonfly creation, others opted for straight sophistication in headwear by noted celebrity designer Philip Treacy.

The weather proved a challenge throughout the week, but did little to dampen the spirits at the Knavesmire. BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd summed up the efforts made by all.

"I think we've done ourselves proud here," she said. "It's been as classy an event as you'll get anywhere in the south."