Former Spice Girl Melanie C has been announced as the latest big name music act to come to Carlisle.

The global pop star will lead the Party In The Paddock at Carlisle Racecourse's annual Ladies Night.

Mel C will be performing a post-racing DJ set at the racecourse on Monday, August 6.

Ladies Night sees Carlisle host the UK’s only all-female jockey race meeting, and in 2016 it introduced the Jockey Club North West Development Award for female jockeys.

The £20,000 award is presented to the jockey who rides a winner at Carlisle on August 6 and then goes on to win the Ladies’ Trophy Handicap Stakes at Haydock Park.

On top of a day of top quality flat racing on the track, the event is an ever-popular fixture in Cumbria’s social calendar oozing chic style, glamour and fun.

Melanie said: “I’m a north west girl myself and I know how much this part of the world loves a party, so I will pack my set with tracks that will get people on their feet.

"We are going to turn that paddock into a huge dancefloor.

“I love the fact Carlisle Racecourse celebrates women in sport by hosting the UK’s only all-female jockey race meeting.

"It’s great to see such dedicated sportswomen championed and celebrated in this way.

“So, it’s fair to say it’s going to be a day and night full of Girl Power."

Molly Dingwall, Jockey Club’s group trainee general manager, said: “Given this hugely popular fixture is all about celebrating, empowering and promoting women in racing, in Melanie C we have the perfect person to lead our post-race Party In The Paddock. After all she and the Spice Girls gave the world Girl Power."

Tickets are on sale now via carlisle.thejockeyclub.co.uk