Dubbed the Ascot of the North, Ladies' Day at York Racecourse's Ebor festival is a chance for the region's ladies to show off their most elegant outfits. Women's Editor Christen Pears spent the day mingling with the beautiful people.

On a warm but overcast afternoon, well-dressed women created a kaleidoscope of colour across the course.

From classic suits and shift dresses to skimpy bandeau tops and trousers slashed to the thigh, every possible look was on display.

And then there were the hats - huge feathered confections that jostled for space in the stands or smaller, more practical, pill box styles.

"Its such a brilliant opportunity to dress up," said 29-year-old Lucy Walker, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Wearing a gold bustier decorated with lace, and wide-leg cream trousers, she was joined by her sister Amy, 24, who chose a turquoise dress with spaghetti straps and matching hat.

"I think a lot of people just come to the races to dress up," said Amy. "I don't know a lot about horses but I do like looking at what other people are wearing."

With prize money of more than £1m, the Ebor festival attracts some of the biggest names in racing, including this year Frankie Detori and Kieron Fallon.

Keen racegoers had their binoculars trained on the course, but those there just to enjoy the social occasion were happy to mill about sipping champagne and watching the crowds.

Among the guests was former Liverpool and England captain Emlyn Hughes, a lifelong racing fan and regular visitor to York. "I once had a runner at York but it came last out of nine," he remembered.

Someone who did pick a winner this year was Rebecca Shaw, of Scarborough, who was named Best Dressed Lady. She stood out from the crowd in a pale purple silk suit and elaborate feathered hat.

A regular racegoer, she always makes an effort to get noticed with her clothes. "That's what it's all about, isn't it?" she said.