Visitor numbers to Carlisle racecourse have risen

Plans are in place for a �2.5m facelift over the next five years, and managers hope it will become the "best in the North".

Since the Jubilee Grandstand opened last year visitor numbers have increased by more than 20%.

Proposals include extending the grandstand, building a new stable block and a new weighing room for jockeys.

Manager John Baker said: "They [the plans] are very much provisional at the moment and we do have to go through a wide consultation process before we can get any of the projects of the ground.

We want to appeal to all sections of our customers and that includes owners and trainers John Baker, manager

"Considering the new grandstand has been open a year now we wanted to move on and make it the best racecourse in the north within five years.

"We want to appeal to all sections of our customers and that includes owners and trainers.

"The stable staff and the trainers would love to have the stables up by the pre-parade ring so we have taken that on board and hope to move that on now.

"Also our weigh room is getting quite old and worn. We have listened to them [the jockeys] and they have said they would like to have new facilities and have a new weigh room."

The racecourse will remain open throughout the work.