VISITORS are used to seeing plenty of horses running at Great Yarmouth Racecourse. On Sunday, there will be children and mascots racing too!The course has become famous for its bi-annual dashes for youngsters to the finishing line at holiday fixtures.

VISITORS are used to seeing plenty of horses running at Great Yarmouth Racecourse. On Sunday, there will be children and mascots racing too!

The course has become famous for its bi-annual dashes for youngsters to the finishing line at holiday fixtures.

The mascots get a look-in, too, in the Great Yarmouth Mascot Stakes, in which the racecourse's own Freddie Furlong will take part.

Children are at the forefront of the annual family fun day at the seaside course - and the first 1,000 into the racecourse will each receive a free goody bag. As well as the traditional free entry for accompanied children under 16, there are family entertainments: face-painting, children's rides, a bouncy castle, donkey rides, a children's entertainer, competitions with prizes and an adventure playground.

Glenn Tubby, general manager of Yarmouth Racecourse, said: “The children's races started off as a little bit of fun half a dozen years ago at our Easter and August bank holiday weekend fixtures - now they're a big bit of fun.

“There are hundreds of children lining up every time we run them.”

He added: “I am delighted with the continued support of this fixture by the Great Yarmouth Mercury and its sister newspapers.

“It is a fantastic family day which will be enjoyed by many local people as well as by the many visitors to the town this weekend.”

Gates open at 11.30am.

Admission is �19 to the Premier Enclosure and �12 to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure.

Accompanied children under 16 are always admitted free of charge.

Online booking is available at www.greatyarmouth-racecourse.co.uk, where discounts are available.