A COUNTY Durham racetrack is celebrating receiving a national award by giving free racecards to visitors at its meetings.

Sedgefield Racecourse's groundstaff have been awarded runners-up in the Jumps category of the Tote-sponsored Neil Wyatt National Groundstaff competition.

Clerk of the course Gemma Charrington praised the work of head groundsman Mark Davison and groundsmen Brian Dutton and John Cook and the rest of their staff.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted to win this award. Sedgefield is unique in that it is one of the narrowest jump tracks in the country, stages 19 fixtures and also gets its fair share of rainfall.

"These factors combined mean that the turf surface receives a real pounding all year."

Sedgefield has been issuing the complimentary racecards to all visitors since the beginning of the year and is the first track in Britain to adopt the policy.

General manager Jim Allen said: "Previously, we found that only a handful of people were actually purchasing the racecard.

"We have changed the format of the card, which is now original and are issuing them to all visitors as they enter.

"This ensures that everyone at the track has a guide to the day's events and is kept informed about all of the day's activities and important health and safety information."

The card contains all the jockeys' colours and is being trialled until the end of April.

Last year, Sedgefield became the first racetrack to host a Miss England qualifier when it staged the Miss Durham contest.

It is holding the event again this year on May 24 and is hoping to stage a Mr Durham contest later in the year.

For more information, contact Mr Allen or Ms Charrington at Sedgefield Racecourse on (01740) 621925.