SOAP stars from Emmerdale were among the celebrities at the racecourse. Verity Rushworth, Emmerdale's Donna Windsor, said it was her first visit to York.

"We're going in the Royal Enclosure and I'm very excited. We'll be having lots of champagne."

Her colleagues Chris Chitell and Lorraine Chase, who play Eric Pollard and Steph Stokes, said they were looking forward to placing lots of bets.

Lorraine, who looked stunning in a Ralph Lauren dress and hat bought from York's Sarah Coggles shop, said: "I think it's a lovely event. I love York and I love the atmosphere. "The city seems to be handling it really well."

Updated: 10:52 Friday, June 17, 2005