MEMBERS of a woman's organisation staged their very own version of Royal Ascot in Pendle.

The Soroptimist International Burnley held a ladies race day in Blacko and raised £500 for Pendleside Hospice.

And the ladies certainly got into the spirit of the occasion by dressing as they were going to the famous festival itself.

The organisation staged a mini-race day at Malkin Croft and guests received the full festival flavour complete with betting and a bar.

After been greeted with a strawberries and champagne reception the event, organised by the branch's president Anne Munrow and Barbara Murray, got under way.

Model horses competed in six races with the winners of each going through to a final race which was won by Retired Now.

The races were decided by throwing two die - the numbers they landed on enabled the corresponding numbered horse to move one furlong along the six furlong course.

Mrs Munrow, 46, was supposed to visit this year's Ascot festival but could not go because she had to undergo surgery after been involved in a car accident last December on the M65 near Padiham. Her car skidded on ice and mounted an embankment.

As a result she only took up active presidency of the organisation in June.

She said: "I was supposed to be going to Ascot but I couldn't get there so we decided to replicate our own.

"It has been wonderful and the weather has held off.

"We have had a lot of friends come who have been extremely generous.

"Ascot came to Blacko for a day."