Ladies Day draws thousands of fashion fans to Aintree

Frocks, feathers and fascinators - it can only be Ladies Day at Aintree.

Taking place ahead of the Grand National on Saturday, the spectacle at the Merseyside racecourse attracts up to 50,000 people for day two of the National meeting.

The meeting has a television audience of more than 600 million globally.

Jester Jet was the winner of the day's first race, the Alder Hey Children's Charity Handicap Hurdle.

A woman with a face mask holding a brightly coloured umbrellaPA

The wet weather has not dampened spirits: it just created an excuse for race-goers to add an extra accessory

A woman shields her hair from the rain under a large plastic bagEPA

The less prepared used their improvisation skills

Two ladies drinking champagneEPA

Trends at the racecourse included neutral shades, floral patterns and feathered hats

Two ladies riding on toy horsesReuters

The weather hasn't stopped the ladies from enjoying themselves

A woman wearing a hat covered in bird feathers stands in front of a wall of rosesPA

Thousands of glamorously dressed racegoers gather the day before the Grand National, with many sporting unusual and distinctive hats

A woman wearing a hat with leaves sprouting from itReuters

Aintree has a team of fashion ambassadors who rate visitors' outfits. It's worth the effort - the winner of the Style Award will win a Range Rover

A lady stands between two of the Queen's GuardPA

Some attendees unfortunately suffer from hat envy