Crowds return for Ladies Day at Aintree for first time since 2019

  • Entertainment correspondent Caroline Whitmore reports from Aintree

It's a case of hold onto your hats and here come the girls, as the crowds return to Ladies Day at Aintree for the first time since 2019.

Last year's Grand National festival was held behind closed doors due to Covid, but the event is well and truly back with a bang.

Day one on Thursday saw 10,000 NHS staff given free tickets to say thank you for their work during the pandemic, but Friday is the day all eyes will be on the fashion.

Around 150,000 racegoers will pass through the gates at Aintree over the three day festival, but Friday is the big one in the fashion stakes.

Felicity Hat Hire in Liverpool has been doing a roaring trade, and has even been open extra hours in the run up to Ladies Day.

Owner Deana Taylor, owner, said: "We are absolutely bombed out. Our opening hours are normally 10am until 4pm but I was in at 8am this morning. Everybody is going a bit extra this year, they are all really excited."

Crowds return to Grand National for first time in three years

All day ITV news has been adding to our photo gallery as people from all over the north west descend on Aintree for Ladies Day 2022.

Caught on camera...four glam racegoers at Ladies Day 2022 Credit: Caroline Whitmore
Craig Charles performs at The Red Rum Garden during Ladies Day at Aintree Credit: PA
The party continues in the Red Rum Garden Credit: PA
Lady in red Donna Mulligan is £5,000 richer after winning Style Award on Ladies Day at Aintree Credit: Liverpool Echo
Lia McNally, Faith Amond (won best dressed lady in 2017) Sinead McNally and Linda Kerr Credit: Laura Heads
Kerry and Donna Clayton Credit: Laura Heads
Gemma Buckley Lucy Mcavoy and Elizabeth in the fantastic cheese plant hat! Credit: Laura Heads
Nadine Brasier and Lucy Donnelly enjoying the sunshine Credit: Laura Heads
Friends Sophie Curran, Becky Ellison, Millie Croft and Faye Strettle on Ladies Day 2022 Credit: Laura Heads
Ladies Day 2022 at the Grand National Festival at Aintree is underway Credit: PA
Here come the girls..smiles and blue skies at Aintree for Ladies Day 2022 Credit: PA
Suited and booted..racegoers gearing up for a fun day Credit: PA
Bold statement with this hat Credit: Liverpool Echo
Cheers! Starting Ladies Day with a glass of fizz Credit: Liverpool Echo