IT is one of the dazzling dates in the social calendar. Hot pinks, bright oranges and a splash of blue shone in the sunshine as the ladies stole the show at this year’s Newmarket Race festival.

A kaleidoscope of colour bathed the course as the day’s racing got under way yesterday.

And top of the agenda for the thousands of women showing off their beautiful outfits were the famous feature of Ladies’ Day – an array of head pieces.

Weird, wacky and oversized hats ensured fashion was at the forefront of the day’s racing.

There were plumes of feathers, big bows, and floral fascinators.

Under the hot summer sun the county’s ladies sipped Champagne as they willed their horses to cross the line in pole position.

And to make the day a bit more interesting as part of the Champagne Lanson July Festival, organisers offered prizes to the best-dressed race-goers of the day. Top prize this year was a fantastic �500 gift pack from the Grand Arcade in Cambridge, including a stunning pendant and a hat of choice from John Lewis.

Runners-up won fashion vouchers and a dinner for four at one of the course restaurants.

The 10 finalists all won a goody bag.