Ascot Racecourse chiefs give refund to punters

Ascot Racecourse chiefs have issued refunds to punters to the premier enclosure who were given orange stickers for flouting the new dress code.

Racegoers were given them as part of a new policy that came into effect on Saturday, the first race day of the year.

Small orange stickers were affixed to the clothing or badges of punters who breached the dress code, which some described as 'humiliating'.

New rules which require male premier ticket holders to wear a jacket and tie, were not enforced, but stickers were given out as a warning.

Charles Barnett, chief executive, said it was a 'well intentioned, but misguided policy' and was an 'isolated lack of judgement on our part'.

He said: "It is clear that we let down many of our premier enclosure customers with a well intentioned but misguided policy.

“No customer should be expected to pay for such an experience and we have taken the view that all premier enclosure visitors yesterday will receive a full refund."

Last week Ascot Racecourse announced a tightening of the dress code for meetings.

Among new rules, women to the royal enclosure will have to wear dresses and skirts of a modest length, and hats or headpieces, while men have to wear morning dress.

Mr Barnett said rules were changed as organisers want to see a 'modern and stylish dress', but said it was not a question of elitism.