Wincanton racecourse has been voted the South West's best small racecourse by the Racegoers Club for an impressive 15th time in 16 years.

Competition for the annual award was strong and the win is a well-deserved accolade for the course after £1.5m was spent on upgrades and refurbishments in recent years.

The team at Wincanton have focused on making the course a great place for families to enjoy, spending more than £200,000 on family friendly improvements.

For the jockeys, trainers and horses, 96 sophisticated new stables have replaced the old stable yard, and state-of-the-art facilities have been installed.

The brand new Kingwell Lodge provides a golf course clubhouse and three star bed and breakfast accommodation open to all.

The course has seen an increase in crowds each year, spurred by the excellent entertainment and feature race days that appeal to those wanting a day out with a difference, plus the regular racegoers.

With a full fixture list packed with race days, such as the annual Countryside Day and Easter meetings, the crowd get to enjoy an action-packed day of racing followed by great live music and family entertainment.

Steven Clarke, the course's new managing director, who was previously general manager at Doncaster for three years, believes this is the secret of the course's success and said: "We try to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy here at the course and we feel we have achieved a lot over the past year.

"We are delighted to have received the award especially as the racegoers were the people voting."

Wincanton's next meeting will be on Saturday, February 18. The seven races include the feature event, the £70,000 Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle. and the £50,000 Country Gentlemen's Association Steeplechase.

Leading bookmakers Blue Square are sponsoring five races, and the total prize money on offer for the whole day is as impressive £192,000.

The first race starts at 2.05pm. Entries for all children under 16 years is free and there is plenty of free parking.