FASHIONABLE ladies donned hats and heels and showed off their top trends during an afternoon of racing in Great Yarmouth.

The town's racecourse was flooded with scores of colourfully dressed visitors for the annual Eastern Festival, which culminated yesterday (Thursday) with the ladies day.

Bright dresses and extravagant hats dotted the grandstand as scores of women, both local and from further afield, enjoyed drinks, nibbles and a flutter.

Around 5,000 people were expected at the racecourse in Jellicoe Road for the final day of the festival, which featured top class jockeys and trainers from yards in Newmarket.

Glenn Tubby, general manager, said the festival was the venue's 'feature' event and attendance was 25pc up on last year.

He added: 'I think everyone likes an excuse to dress up and the ladies have done themselves proud today. There's lots of hats and heels.'

Channel 4 racing pundit Derek Thompson was among the judging panel who voted for the best dressed lady.

Throughout the afternoon he, along with staff from the racecourse and Bartholomews Jewellers in Great Yarmouth - who sponsored the competition by providing prizes - picked out 10 finalists who were then judged in the winner's enclosure.