OFFICIALS at Stratford have alerted racegoers that the Centre Course picnic enclosure will not be open for the first meeting of the season on Monday.

Managing director, Stephen Lambert, said: "The £1m post flood refurbishment work that has been carried out since November has gone brilliantly, but we did lose two working weeks due to heavy rain during the winter, and this has meant that the Centre Course buildings have not been completed.

"We are hopeful that they will be open in time for our meeting on March 10 and a further announcement will be made.

"Work on the Warwickshire Stand lift has also not been finished yet due to difficulty in obtaining parts. Alternative viewing arrangements will be made for disabled racegoers.

Prices for Monday's meeting are, Club £18 and Tattersalls £14. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free. Entry to the main car park is £3 with the public car park free.

Lambert added: "I think our patrons will be very pleased with the upgrading of all our buildings. All have new floors, walls, bars, and decor and there is now air-conditioning in the main restaurant. We also have a water jump in place in front of the stands."