LITTLE Grace Chapman is the winner of an annual art competition to design the front cover of the racecard for Redcar’s Easter Monday meeting.

Grace, five, who comes from Hartlepool, has won a VIP family day out after her eye-catching entry was picked by the judges.

Her mum Becky said: “We love coming to Redcar Races and Grace is so excited to have won the competition because she just loves drawing.”

Youngsters were challenged to colour a template showing an Easter egg jockey passing the finishing post.

Grace, a pupil at Kingsley Primary School, will have a race named after her on Easter Monday and will present the trophy to the owners of the winning horse.

As well as four admission tickets into the Grandstand, her family will also enjoy a three-course meal, a bottle of wine, and free racecards.

Katie Louise Park was runner-up and will have her entry printed inside the racecard as well as winning four Grandstand tickets for Easter Monday. The third-placed artist, Maisie Whittaker, will also have her entry printed in the racecard and will receive two Grandstand tickets.

Redcar’s general manager Amy Fair said: “The standard of entries this year was fantastic, and Grace is one of the youngest winners we’ve ever had. She did an amazing job and we hope she and her family have a memorable day.”

As well as the day’s racing, Redcar will also be putting on family fun activities on Easter Monday, including visits from the Easter Bunny and Alice and Wonderland and friends.

The gates open at 11am, with the first race scheduled for 1.55pm. Entrance prices are £17 into the Grandstand (£14 for concessions) and £6 into the Course enclosure (£5 for concessions). Admission is free for accompanied children aged 17 and under.