ELEGANT husband and wife David and Di West came to the races in blissful ignorance that Redcar’s Best-Dressed Couple competition would be taking place.

But the couple, from Whitby, were chosen from the crowd to be finalists – and ended up winning the prestigious title on Redcar’s Gin and Gents evening meeting.

“It’s a huge surprise because we didn’t know anything about the competition – we just came for a night out at the races,” said David, a financial adviser.

“The first we knew was when we got a tap on the shoulder to tell us we’d been chosen as finalists,” added Di, who is a local government benefits officer.

The couple won a pair of Boss Watches, courtesy of Market Cross Jewellers.

Runners-up were Michael and Sarah McBain, of Sunderland, who were accompanied by two-year-old daughter, Penelope, and third place went to Andy and Michelle Savage, of Marske. They all won tickets to return to Redcar Races.

Meanwhile, Jamie Coonan, of Redcar, won the Best-Dressed Gent title, making good use of a suit he wore at his daughter, Chloe’s wedding, topped off with a Peaky Blinders’ style flat cap.

Jamie, who works for Caterpillar, won a £250 voucher from Bakers Tailoring, plus a Tissot watch from Market Cross Jewellers. Gary Wake, of Middlesbrough, was runner-up, and Russ Clark, of Redcar, came third.

Redcar’s general manager, Amy Fair, said: “Gin and Gents evening always brings out the best in our racegoers and the glamorous standards this year were as high as ever. Congratulations to our worthy winners and thank you to our sponsors.”