SEDGEFIELD racecourse has been voted best small racecourse in the North East and Scotland by the Racegoers Club.

The award, ahead of many fine racecourses such as Hexham, Kelso, Musselburgh, Redcar and holders Perth, comes just before the County Durham track's biggest fixture of the year on Boxing Day.

The Boxing Day fixture is being turned into a double-header as the Premiership game between Charlton and Chelsea will be shown live on televisions at the racecourse from noon.

The racing action starts at 1pm and finishes at 3.30, with the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park also being shown live on racecourse televisions.

Admission is £6 for the course enclosure and £12 (£7 for senior citizens) to the grandstand enclosure. Accompanied children under 16 enter free and car parking is free.

More details on www.sedgefield-racecourse.co.uk.

* Catterick hosts the final day's racing in the north in 2003 and the region's first fixture of 2004 with the course's traditional two-day meeting on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The action on New Year's Eve is scheduled to begin at 12.45 and features The 'See You Again Tomorrow' Beginners' Chase (two miles) and The Happy New Year Handicap Chase over the extended three miles and one furlong.

Racing on New Year's Day starts at 12.40, the highlights being The Hans Christian Andersen Handicap Chase (two miles and three furlongs), The Aladdin Handicap Hurdle over two miles and The John Gill Chrysler Jeep Easy Terms Novices' Chase.

The latter race, the longest of the afternoon at three miles and one furlong, is supported by John Gill Ltd of Bedale, who supply a vehicle for use by the racecourse doctors on race days.

Admission prices for both days are: Club daily badge £14; Tattersalls enclosure £10; course enclosure (situated in the centre of the course) £3. All car and coach parking is free, while accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.