WHAT better way to kick off the summer than with a cracking night out enjoying top sport, fabulous food and drink, great company, and stunningly picturesque surroundings?

The Mail Ladies Night at Cartmel - the only evening race meeting held all summer at the ever-popular racecourse - is almost here.

Racegoers need no excuse to dress up for the occasion with prizes worth more than £1,000 up for grabs on the night for both the best-dressed man and the best-dressed woman.

And we can exclusively reveal that The Mail has also partnered up with bookmakers William Hill and Cartmel Racecourse to offer a free £50 bet on the LOCALiQ-sponsored race on the evening.

The winner of the £50 betting voucher must be over 18 years old and must place their free bet on the course on the night at the William Hill terminal on the race sponsored by LOCALiQ.

To enter, go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FB50 and answer the question.

In another first this year, there’s also a Michelin-starred food experience for racegoers who want to make their occasion even more memorable.

Top chef Tom Barnes, executive chef at Cartmel’s L’Enclume and Rogan and Co restaurants, has worked with Simon Rogan on a menu for the new Rogan at the Races venture.

Tom, who is from Barrow, will serve Michelin-starred food to racegoers in one of the UK’s most unique restaurants, a glass-fronted pavilion and garden terrace alongside the racecourse.

Tom said: “Simon and I have worked on a very exciting menu which, along with our teams, we will serve to racegoers on each of the nine racedays across the Cartmel season.

“We will be incorporating seasonal produce grown on Simon’s 12-acre organic farm in the Cartmel valley to keep dishes fresh and food miles down to a minimum.

“The restaurant is right alongside the finishing straight with breathtaking views. I’m delighted to say tickets have been selling very well with lots of people keen to enjoy this unique experience.”

The only other racecourse at which Rogan and his team will cook this year is at Royal Ascot. Racegoers at Cartmel can also book at the racecourse’s recently revamped Louis Roederer restaurant in the grandstand.

The Mail Ladies Night is the culmination of Cartmel’s first meeting of the year, with racing also taking place on Saturday (May 25) and Bank Holiday Monday (May 27).

Later in the year, on Friday, June 28, one of the biggest names in global pop music will take to the stage when Sir Cliff Richard plays one of just three UK gigs at the racecourse.

You can book your tickets for any of the events at Cartmel Racecourse - including for The Mail Ladies Night, Rogan at the Races, and Sir Clif Richard - at www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk