THE wraps have been taken off exciting £2 million plans for a new weighing room and winners' enclosure at Haydock Park Racecourse.

As staff prepared for the big three-day meeting from today (Thursday) until Saturday, the latest developments at the UK's year 2000 racecourse of the year were unveiled.

The work at the Merseyside track, scheduled to start in 2001, will take a year to complete.

The latest investment follows the opening of the £3 million Centenary Grandstand last summer.

The new winners' enclosure will be next to the parade ring. Adjacent to that, where the current owners and trainers tented pavilion is at present, will be the new weighing room for jockeys incorporating a medical facility. A new restaurant for owners and trainers will be on the first floor.

The current weighing room on the ground floor of the Tommy Whittle Grandstand will be converted into restaurants and bars for racegoers.

Haydock Park's racing manager Lisa Rowe said: "These will be really fantastic new facilities and will complement those that we are already providing for all our racegoers in the Centenary Grandstand".

The racecourse won plaudits for encouraging runners last winter by providing VIP treatment for owners and trainers.

Meanwhile, the attention is switching to Haydock's big August meeting. Top billing at the popular three-day fixture goes to the Coral Eurobet Handicap and Petros Rose of Lancaster Stakes on Saturday August 12. The middle day is the third Ladies' Evening of the summer. Channel 4 Racing will be covering the two major races on Saturday, while racegoers get the added bonus on Friday and Saturday of the racecourse's own TV station 'Haydock TV' - anchored by Racing Channel presenter Alice Plunkett.

First race times are 2pm on Thursday, 6.05pm on Friday (Ladies' Evening - ladies gain admission at half price) and 2.20pm on Saturday. On Thursday, entry is £30 to the Premier Enclosure on the top floor of the Centenary Grandstand, £17 to the County Enclosure, £10 to Tattersalls, and £5 to the Newton Enclosure. On Friday evening and on Saturday, the Premier Enclosure is £35, the County Enclosure £20, Tattersalls £12, and Newton Enclosure £6. Accompanied children under 16 enter free on all days. Senior citizens and students, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price. Advance tickets are available by calling 01942 402624. More details are available by calling up the web site at www.haydock-park.com