THOUSANDS of racegoers attended the Vale of Lune Point-to-Point at Whittington and were treated to some thrilling racing action.

A seven-race card saw the addition of a race for maiden horses - those that have never won a race before.

Sadly, two horses died after completing their individual races.

One, Forever Moore, had a heart attack and another had to be put down after damaging tendons, a reccurence of a previous injury.

Chairman of the track Mike Bowker said: “Our attendance was slightly down and the weather forecast beforehand probably affected our crowd a little “But I suspect that many of them are kicking themselves at not turning up.”

Mr Bowker added that rain before the meeting made conditions for racing ideal.

Pony races returned to the meeting this year, which Mr Bowker said proved a ‘crowd pleaser’.

Fairground rides and food stalls were some of the attractions at the event, which has been held at Whittington since 1936.

Protesters objecting to a nearby windfarm plan took to the air to make their feelings known to racegoers.

LandscapeFirst, which opposes the Longfield Tarn windfarm near Kirkby Lonsdale, hired a light aircraft to tow a banner above the course.

The group also had a stand at the racecourse, which recruited more than 200 supporters.