A POPULAR annual stables open day raised £16,500 for charities when it was held last month, organisers have revealed.

This year’s Middleham Stables Open Day, in Middleham, North Yorkshire, attracted almost 7,000 visitors on Good Friday.

Richmond MP William Hague handed over cheques to the local charities and organisations in a ceremony at the Middleham Key Centre this morning.

Beneficiaries included the centre itself, the Great North Air Ambulance, Racing Welfare, North Country Theatre and Leyburn band, along with several others.

The open event, which is sponsored by The Northern Echo, gives racing enthusiasts and families the opportunity to visit some of England’s top racing stables.

Mr Hague said: "Middleham is a tremendous success story and fully deserves its reputation as the finest racing centre in the north of England.

"We have some very successful trainers and it is wonderful that they open their yards to so many people, especially as the proceeds go to such deserving charities."

Judith Brickwood, one of the organisers of the event, said: "The £16,500 raised represents a great achievement on the part of so many people, including the trainers, the staff at the Key Centre and, last but not least, the thousands of people who flocked to our town and ensured the day was a success.

"After last year’s disappointing turn-out, we were delighted with the attendance this year.

"In particular, we were very pleased that our afternoon events on the Low Moor were such a success. They helped to make this a day to remember".

Highlights of the event included the display of top two-year-old racehorses, some of which were for sale, open-air theatre and a display of rehabilitated horses.

Ann Duffield, at her neighbouring yard, in Constable Burton, raised £1,500 through her own open day event in the afternoon.

She said: "Although we have our own facilities and gallops up - so we are not strictly part of the Middleham Trainers Association - we are delighted to be able to contribute to the fundraising effort.

"It is good to be able to work together to raise the profile of racing and racehorse ownership and give a ‘behind the scenes’ taste of the sport."

* Next year’s Middleham Stables Open Event will be held on Good Friday, April 2, next year.