Favourite old dresses were dusted down - and new ones debuted - by female racegoers as they headed for a day out at the races in Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Amy Elliott, Louise Hammond and Laura Kennedy enjoy the racesAmy Elliott, Louise Hammond and Laura Kennedy enjoy the races (Image: Archant)

Ladies Day, on the third day and final day of the Eastern Festival at Great Yarmouth Racecourse, was a riot of colour as 4,500 people enjoyed the sunny weather, placed bets and socialised.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Vicki Millington and Rachel Hawley had a great day outVicki Millington and Rachel Hawley had a great day out (Image: Archant)

Female attendees had been asked by racecourse bosses to dig out their favourites forgotten outfit from their closets so they could be judged for the event's style awards and win the top prize of £500.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Red hats were the order of the day for this groupRed hats were the order of the day for this group (Image: Archant)

Couples and men could also enter the contest.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Carli Dotton, Emma Goggins and Melissa Carson were all smilesCarli Dotton, Emma Goggins and Melissa Carson were all smiles (Image: Archant)

There were cheers as people roared on the day's seven races, which started at 1.30pm.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: People had a good day out at the racesPeople had a good day out at the races (Image: Archant)

The scenes were in stark contrast to last year when Ladies Day was cancelled as no people were allowed in the course.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Louise, Cassie and Demi at the Ladies Day event at Great Yarmouth RacecourseLouise, Cassie and Demi at the Ladies Day event at Great Yarmouth Racecourse (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Paula and Steve Landers were a colourful sightPaula and Steve Landers were a colourful sight (Image: Archant)

Glenn Tubby, executive director at the track, said there had been a great atmosphere and was really pleased how the three day festival had gone, with a total attendance of 12,000.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: 4,500 attended the race day4,500 attended the race day (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Action from the Ladies Day meetingAction from the Ladies Day meeting (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Megan Harsley, Carolyn Beddows, Steve Hyde and Medino Hole at the Ladies Day event at Great Yarmouth RacecourseMegan Harsley, Carolyn Beddows, Steve Hyde and Medino Hole at the Ladies Day event at Great Yarmouth Racecourse (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Julia Dunne, Pauline Heil, Trish Muncastar, Diane Skipper, Linda English and Sue WilkisonJulia Dunne, Pauline Heil, Trish Muncastar, Diane Skipper, Linda English and Sue Wilkison (Image: Archant)