£10m to improve Ascot's upgrade

Ascot reopened in June following a 20-month redevelopment

Plans to improve a £200m re-vamp at the Ascot Racecourse are to be put to planners in Berkshire.

The historic ground re-opened in June last year with a new grandstand but race goers complained they could no longer see the finish line.

A spokesman admitted there had been problems and said the concourse level would be changed, with the ground sloped to provide a clearer view.

The £10m overhaul would be finished by May, without changes to race fixtures.

During a 20-month redevelopment, which was completed in time for the 2006 royal meeting, the track and a golf course were moved and the old stands demolished and replaced.

David Demolder, racecourse company secretary, told BBC News: "We're proposing to complete the works by the beginning of May overall - there are a number of different projects we've got going on at the moment and in total the costs are about £10m.

"Firstly, to make the lawn steeper so that when you're standing on the lawn you see over the heads of the people in front of you, down to the track.

"In addition we're looking to make the stepping themselves slightly steeper and slightly higher."