The air ambulance was called to Fakenham Racecourse this afternoon after a racegoer suffered a cardiac arrest.

The ambulance service was called at 2.22pm and Anglia One was despatched.

An ambulance and a rapid response vehicle also attended.

The man, which eyewitnesses said was aged between 60 and 70, collapsed close to the paddock exit next to the track shortly before the first race.

After being assisted by the medical team at the Norfolk course, the man was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by air ambulance at around 3.20pm.

Clerk of the course David Hunter said: 'The gentleman had two relations with him. He collapsed after feeling dizzy and that is when I was made aware of the incident.

'Where the gentleman collapsed could not have been in a more critical position for racing.

'The medical team at the track were with him within 35 seconds of him feeling queasy. He is going off to hospital in the air ambulance for further treatment.'

Eyewitnesses said medics were on hand quickly and screens were put up to give them privacy while treatment was given.

Racing was delayed for around half an hour and has since resumed after the air ambulance departed.

However, there were further delays to the racing of around an hour after a jockey fell off a horse.