NEWCASTLE and Sedgefield racecourses bucked a national trend by enjoying increasing attendances in 2004.

The average crowd at Britain's 1,300 horse racing fixtures across 59 racecourses fell slightly, largely due to all-weather tracks holding additional meetings to cater for low quality horses.

But Newcastle (+3.9pc) and Sedgefield (+6.8pc) - both part of the nine-strong Northern Racing group - prospered.

Each racecourse had a fixture fewer than in 2003, but still managed to push up their total attendances.

At Sedgefield, general manager Jim Allen attributed his racecourse's successful 2004 to a growth in awareness of what a good day or evening out the sport can offer.

He said: "As well as giving our keen jump racing fans good competitive racing to watch and bet on, we've put on such events as Miss Durham and a wife-carrying competition, and these attract plenty of people who have never visited the racecourse before."

He is hopeful that 2005 can be even better, especially as the course has regained its popular Boxing Day fixture.