It was a day of top-class sport, style and no shortage of sunshine as Plate Day brought entertainment for thousands at Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday.
Crowds packed out Gosforth Park for a sporting highlight of the year which marked the finale of the three-day Northumberland Plate Festival. After the previous days' action was dogged with showers, some were unsure what to expect. But despite predictions of a spell of afternoon rain, the sun made a welcome appearance but there were also gusts of wind which had ladies hanging onto their hats.
Forecasts for a mostly dry day held good for Plate Day's trademark array of glamorous outfits and stylish suits. It could have been warmer but, as ever, racegoers were out to enjoy the day to the full, with many arriving in plenty time for gates opening at 10.30am.
Groups of Plate Day regulars alongside newcomers to the event, including groups who had travelled to the city from outside the region, mingled in the sunshine ahead of the start of the racing, taking photographs and queuing for drinks at the pop-up outdoor bars which sold everything from beer to Champagne. There were plenty of street food outlets too.
Among those enjoying a seat in the sun were friends Kathryn Cowen, Gillian Burn and Nicola Sloan from Newcastle, who make Plate Day an annual tradition - and Nicola always makes all their stunning hats which they colour coordinate their outfits around. "It's just a hobby," she says. "I just like them to look different to what you can buy off the shelf."
The day is a chance for the friends to catch up as Gillian now lives in London. "It's my favourite day of the year - a chance for all three of us to be together," she said. "We always have fun." Kathryn added: "We love it - it's the atmosphere."
Among another group of friends and family who all live locally was Diane Hunter who had missed the first race as they found themselves held up by queues. They are also Plate Day regulars and see the event as a chance for a get-together. "We all call each other about what we're wearing," she said.
They were keeping an eye out in case of rain while following the racing action, which featured eight flat races across the afternoon, and Diane added: "We're not very good at picking the winners!"
The first of the afternoon's flat races got under way earlier than usual this year, at 12.20pm, to fit in with the racecourse's commitments with TV broadcasts while the biggie - The Northumberland Plate itself, which was won by Calling The Wind - was just after 2pm.
Losing out on his bet for that was Ryan Armstrong from Blyth who was watching from the packed stands with partner Chloe Tait, both in stylish outfits which complemented each other with touches of orange.
"It wasn't on purpose!" he said, explaining that the dress Chloe ordered for the upcoming Ladies Day had arrived early so she decided to wear it and it happened to match the colour of his tie. He has a box at Plate Day every year and he said of the annual event: "When the sun's out and with the atmosphere, it's great.
"There's always a mixed bag of people, from old to young, and everyone's enjoying themselves."
The breezy weather was soon causing a few problems for hat-wearers and Catherine Hunter, there with a group including husband Alan, had resorted to carrying her fascinator while her friend Teresa Tindle said "I've had to force my hat down" and joked of the blowy weather: "I wish we'd come in jeans and jumpers!
"But you have to make a bit of an effort for Plate Day."
There were also celebrations under way amongst the crowd - which the racecourse estimated to be around 15,000 people - including groom-to-be Ross McKay who had travelled down with his stag party from Stirling in Scotland for his first ever Plate Day and was having a "brilliant" time.
And Hannah Grierson, originally from Whitehaven, Cumbria, and currently living in the city, was on her hen outing, arranged for her by her twin sister ahead of her fast-approaching wedding.
Her pal Gemma Holmes had tightly pinned the veil Hannah was wearing to stop the wind playing havoc and the group of Newcastle friends were having a "fab" time - "apart from the wind!" they said, while also celebrating a couple of wins.
Race-goers placed their last bets for the final race at 4.25pm before live music wrapped up the hugely-popular day out, with the Brit and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Tom Grennan taking to the stage. Plate Day, which first took place in 1833, was officially known as the Pitmen’s Derby, being the centrepiece of the 'race week' holiday period for local mine workers, and has morphed into a huge event which attracts thousands of people from far and wide.
And, true to form on Saturday, the crowds loved it. Many will be doing it all over again on July 29 for Ladies - the next big date on the racecourse calendar - which this year will see Ronan Keating on the early evening entertainment bill.
