Chavs to be banned from Goodwood racing

Racing fans, it seems, don't like being told how to dress.

And the Earl's declaration that he wants to clamp down on 'chav' dressing at this year's Glorious Goodwood has not gone down well with the fake-tan fraternity.

Yesterday there were howls of protest at his claim that those flashing too much flesh or dressing down at his racecourse in West Sussex could be shown the door.

"If we're going to put a bet on we should be able to turn up in Bermuda shorts if we want," said racing fan Clive Butler, 21, a car soundproofer.

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"It's all very well for these earls to moan but ordinary punters are the ones who keep racing going.

"Just go to any bookies and you'll see that."

His friend Ian Hooper, 22, a heating engineer, said: "I think the rules are ridiculous.

"If you are a fan of racing you should be allowed in whatever you are wearing - as long as you behave yourself. And me and my mates always do."

Earlier this week the Earl, 52, who owns the course, told the Mail's Richard Kay: "We have far too many chavs I'm afraid. There are other racecourses whose patrons dress as though they are going to a nightclub.

"I won't be asking visitors to wear morning coats but I would like to see the ladies in nice traditional English summer frocks, with linen suits and Panama hats for the gentlemen.

"Perhaps we will have to have some spare jackets around."

His comments are likely to have been prompted by the Grand National meeting in April when Ladies' Day looked more like the queue for fancy dress night at a Liverpool nightclub.

The footballers' wives and glamour girls of the North-West put on a display that spectators at Aintree will never forget.

Heaving bosoms were on show, along with acres of fake tan and extravagant headdresses perched on bleached-blonde hairdos.

To make matters worse, the shrieking hordes swigged beer straight from the bottle.

The Earl of March is keen to keep Goodwood, which starts today and runs until Saturday, gloriously elegant.

But he may have a sartorial battle on his hands.

Racegoer Barry Edwards, a 27-year-old mechanic, said: "If I'm going to fork out for tickets and blow a load of cash with the bookies then I should be able to dress how I like.

"Just because I'm not wearing a top hat and tails doesn't automatically mean I will be badly behaved."