CARTMEL Racecourse won by a length in the race to win a prestigious award.

A panel of judges announced Cartmel were the winners of the Corporate Social Responsibility Category at the Racecourse Association's Showcase Awards at Ascot.

But this was just the tip of the iceberg as Cartmel became the only course in the country to be shortlisted for three awards, including 'Operational Excellence' and 'Best Food and Beverage', at the ceremony on November 13.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Award was entered by every racecourse in the country and Cartmel upset the odds to 'beat the big boys' and claim the prize.

The award is given to the racecourse that does the most for their local community and Cartmel's dedication to the success of other sports teams in the region played a key role in their victory.

Both Cartmel's football and cricket teams call the centre of the race track their home, last week it played host to the North West Cyclo Cross League and even the local primary schools use its wooded areas for cross country races.

Steve Chambers, chairman of Cartmel and District Football Club, said: "They are fantastic. They sponsor us and the racecourse underpins the whole viability of our club. I'm delighted they won the award because they deserve it. We're only a small football club but it's a special place. They work really hard within the community and the racecourse is a massive part of what Cartmel is about."

With the support of the racecourse, the football club has seen many benefits.

"All the lads would say we have a great relationship with them and they do us a lot of favours," said Steve.

"Our groundsman works closely with the racecourse staff and that allows us to have one of the best pitches in the league.

"We have also grown into three teams now and there's no doubt about the fact that the racecourse gives us the strength to do what we do here."

In return for the racecourse's support, local sports clubs help out on race days with everything from organising the parking to cleaning up litter.

Jonathan Garratt, Managing Director of Cartmel Racecourse, said: "There probably isn't another racecourse in the country that works as closely with the community as Cartmel. We have a very good relationship with the clubs that use the racecourse and they help us throughout the year. It's fair to say Cartmel is a different racecourse from others in the country - we have the smallest fixture list yet we attracted the third largest crowd in the country last year. I'm proud of the team here, we have worked very hard and to be rewarded is great. I'm also proud for the village. The award we won reflects the work of the sports clubs and groups within the village and I'm very proud for everyone."

Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Sam Cone, communications officer for the Racecourse Association, said: "The racecourse has worked hard to become the centre of the local community. The fact that everything they do takes the community into consideration through an integrated programme of events shows that respect for their community is in the DNA of Cartmel Racecourse. We think it was a fantastic achievement. They beat some larger racecourses and it's testament to the hard work and dedication their team put in."