BEVERLEY Racecourse is getting under starter's orders for the new season by having a facelift.

The oldest grandstand at the scenic Westwood course is being given a 21st century makeover to put the venue on track for another bumper season.

The £450,000 refurbishment of the Minster Stand is the latest annual upgrade for the venue, which has benefited from £3m in improvements over the past 10 years.

The rolling programme of investment is paying off at the course, which enjoyed the fifth-best growth in attendances out of 60 racecourses nationally last year.

More than 87,000 flocked through the turnstiles last season, up by 6,000 on the previous year.

Record-breaking ticket sales again this year look set to ensure this season will be a winner, with the premier enclosure for The Journal Ladies Day, sponsored by the Mail, selling out faster than ever before for August 11.

The track has also added an extra race day to its fixture list for June 17, when the venue will be embracing the social networking trend with an evening designed to help people get together.

Two race meetings will coincide with World Cup quarter and semi-final dates, when a big screen will ensure football fans will not miss out on all the action while enjoying the races.

Racecourse manager Sally Iggulden said the refurbishment of the Minster Stand, which overlooks the Westwood, will improve the attractiveness of the venue for the new season, which opens on April 14.

She said: "It's the oldest grandstand that we have here, it has been standing for at least 100 years.

"It is a very ugly stand made of corrugated iron that has been painted a variety of colours. We are re-cladding the whole of the back of the stand to make it look more attractive."

The interior of the stand will also be modernised to create an open plan area.

Miss Iggulden said: "We are doing a full refurbishment and small extension to the front of the stand. It's quite a basic stand comprising lots of little rooms with a tiny bar area.

"We are knocking it right through and opening it right up to create an open plan area to incorporate new bar facilities."

Miss Iggulden revealed that ticket sales and hospitality bookings are already looking strong, building on the success of last season.

She added: "We have to be hopeful that this year will be similar to last season.

"We have an extra meeting in June and we will have dedicated big screens for two July meetings which coincide with World Cup fixtures.

"The premier enclosure for Ladies Day has sold out earlier than last year and the other enclosures are also selling well.

"Generally bookings are looking good."