A Workington businesswoman will be judging spectators' style at the Ultimate Ladies' Night at Carlisle Racecourse next week.

Norah Alderson, owner of Cherry Tree Fashion on Wilson Street, will be looking for the best hat at the only event in the world where all the horses in every race is ridden by a woman.

She said: "We have so many customers that come here to get their hats and fascinators for the races that it seemed a natural step to be there.

"The big thing at the moment are hatinators. 

"It looks like a hat but it's a fascinator, so it doesn't interfere with the lady's hair and now that up hairdos are popular it's convenient.

"Kate Middleton champions hatinators and of course ladies look at her and her style.

"People want to dress up for the races, they want to feel and look at their best. 

"Ladies can wear statement pieces for these occasions, which they wouldn't do for example at a wedding because they don't want to outshine the bride's mother for example.

"On the day I'll be looking at the whole style and how the hat integrates with that. It's not always obvious, it can be something very subtle that strikes me, a detail."

Competitions for best dressed lady and gent will also take place.

Lindsey Gray, 24, of Crosby, is sales and marketing co-ordinator at Carlisle Raceourse.

She said: "Everybody wants a good occasion to dress up and they want a bit of the glamour of Ascot.

"Men come with three-piece suites, ladies wear unique dresses and co-ordinated hats and fascinators. We usually see beautiful shoes.

"People from all over the county and across the border come to the event every year."

Ultimate's Ladies' Night, which also features a performance by the White Keys, takes place on Monday.