ANOTHER bumper crowd is expected at Taunton Racecourse on December 10 to celebrate all things Christmas at the annual festive meet.

The first of the seven races on the card - that carries a massive £57,000 in prizes - goes to post at 12.40pm, while away from the action, a whole host of festive entertainment will be on show.

The two big races on the card are the ‘Dave Criddle Travel & Flybe Handicap Hurdle Race’ (class three) over two miles three furlongs at 2.40pm, which has £10k on offer in prizes.

Thirty minutes later is the ‘Stables Business Park Clients Day Out Handicap Steeple Chase’, another class three event, over two miles two furlongs that has a whopping £13,000 available in prizes.

Other highlights include the presence of the King’s College band and choristers - who will be playing season music throughout the afternoon - trade stands with a festive theme, as well as hot mince pies and mulled wine.

The opening two fixtures of the new racing season have showed a marked increase in attendance, when compared to corresponding meetings last year, and the Orchard Portman course is expecting another big turnout.

Punters are reminded that they can save up to 20% on ticket prices if they book in advance on-line before 10am on the day prior to racing by logging onto www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk

A courtesy coach service departs from Taunton Railway Station two hours before the first race returning from the course 30 minutes after the start of the last.