RACEGOERS coming into the city by train this weekend will have a chance to show off their skills on the catwalk.

Virgin Trains has constructed a pop up runway to help find the Ebor Festival's Best Dressed Couple during every day of the prestigious annual four day race.

Staff will also be handing out goodies, including sunglasses and 30 per cent off vouchers for travel on the company's services.

The first couple to win a pair of First Class tickets on Virgin Trains were Richard Lomax and Erin Peart who had travelled to York from Newcastle.

Miss Peart, who is a surveyor with the Hanro Group, said: “For me the Ebor Festival is as much about the fashion and people-watching as the racing itself.

"I do wonder if by wearing red today helped sway the Virgin judges, but I’m delighted to walk off the train and on to Virgin’s catwalk today!”

Mr Lomax, a solicitor at DWF LLP, added: “We’re regular racegoers and it’s a great day – but I never expected to be on a catwalk as part of it."