With last touches made to Plate Day outfits ahead of this Saturday's return of the racing event of the year, excitement is at its peak as the big day is now here.
Having had a decent spell, weather-wise, for The Hoppings - mostly good with a few downpours - no doubt race-goers will be eager to know if it is likely to be just as variable today for what is another Newcastle institution. Plate Day is the highlight of the Northumberland Plate Festival when crowds make the most of an opportunity to show off an array of glamorous outfits and headware at Gosforth Park.
Over the years the event has suffered its share of rain but, in true Geordie style, the crowds have always refused to let it spoil the party and have responded by taking along umbrellas which are often colour-coordinated with their outfits so that they become more like fashion accessories. Even so, everyone will be keeping fingers crossed that there won't be any weather spoilers to rain on the parade of those in their finery.
