A LONG-serving racecourse worker has been honoured by having a revamped building for stable staff named after him.

Thirsk Racecourse has named the accommodation block, which has more than 1,500 visitors a season, after 80-year-old Harry Halliday, who started working at the track in 1977.

After performing duties as part of the car parking raceday team, Mr Halliday has managed the stable staff hostel since 1995.

Every raceday Mr Halliday leaves his home in York and heads to Thirsk, sometimes staying away from home for a couple of nights to make sure visiting stable staff are cared for when they accompany their charges to the racecourse.

A racecourse spokesman said: "Harry’s cheery nature has not been lost on his Thirsk colleagues.

"When the hostel underwent its £150,000 modernisation programme over the winter, it seemed a natural choice when the racecourse underwent a £150k refurbishment of the hostel accommodation to rename the building after the long-serving hostel manager."

The refurbished hostel can accommodate 27 overnight residents, mostly in single rooms with ensuite facilities.

Clerk of the course James Sanderson said: “This is the first major update of the stable staff hostel building since it was created some 40 years ago and its previous format it was mostly dormitory-style accommodation. "Much has changed in the industry during those 40 years, so it is important we made the facilities suit modern racing.

“Halliday’s Lodge will not only service racing but will also be available for other groups seeking affordable, comfortable, hostel-style accommodation whilst visiting the area.”