IT'S one of the most colourful events in the sporting calendar - a day when the cameras are firmly trained on the spectators.

Forget the fillies on the track - the real draw at Royal Ascot tomorrow will be the incredible parade of wacky and wonderful hats for Ladies Day.

And among those hoping to win plaudits for the best turned out is Abergavenny hat designer Alison Tod, whose creations will be gracing the heads of a host of racegoers.

Alison, of Aristohats, has created more than a hundred hats for women visiting Ascot over the next few days. She said: "This year has been very busy, with a number of requests, and so far we have made more than 100 for Ascot, with requests from wealthy women. "Ascot is the time of year when women can try different things and not be afraid to experiment with colour and style."

For Alison the prestige of making hats for such an event is nothing new - she trained in London with Graham Smith, of Kangol, the man who made hats for the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

She said: "It's always nice to make hats for Ascot because it is so special and they are seen by so many.

"Almost every year 30,000 women visit wearing hats, and yet every year we have had one woman interviewed on TV or by a newspaper who is wearing one of our hats. "It is a wonderful showpiece of styles and designs."

This year, vibrant colours are going to be key for Ascot. "The popular colours have been magenta, pinks, orange and turquoise," she said. "I think it is marvellous to see what people wear and the styles that are available. People can get anything these days to suit their shape."

Alison, who has been designing for 20 years, also works on existing hats and customises them for the individual.

She said: "The hat can make the outfit, so it must be the right shape and colour, but it can make everyone look wonderful."

PICTURED: Nicky Lewis models an Alison Todd creation.