Thousands of people enjoyed a fabulous day of racing as Cheltenham Festival got underway with a bang today.

The freezing temperatures did nothing to deter racegoers as hats, scarfs and more than a little tweed kept everyone warm against the elements.

Zara Phillips was apparently left fuming after a security guard stopped her from entering the enclosure at Cheltenham.

According to the Daily Mail, she was left arguing with the bouncer after he failed to recognise her.

Watched by her rugby star husband Mike Tindall, who enjoyed a laugh at the situation, she was forced to explain to the guard who she was.

But after finally being allowed in, she was soon smiling again as she watched the races.

Police also reported a good first day, with only one arrest made during the day's racing.

The 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft by employee and is currently in police custody.

The only other incident reported to police was suspected counterfeit currency being used on the site, which officers are investigating.

Superintendent Neil Mantle said: "Nearly 60,000 people have passed through the Racecourse gates today and we're pleased to report that only one arrested has been needed.

"This is thanks to not only our police officers but all the staff at the racecourse who are working together with the same aim of facilitating a safe and enjoyable festival."

How the day unfolded......

4.50pm

Echo reporter Michael Yong is on hand with more from the racecourse.

For Irish whiskey bartender Natasha Perkins, the start of the Festival has been a busy day.

She said: "There have been lots of people from different places, like Scotland, Jersey and more. We've sold quite a lot of whiskey today, it's been very popular because it's been so cold. I think business will pick up during the week especially Thursday and Friday.

"All the customers have been very friendly and we've had no problems at all."

Silver Commander Andy ***ming is in charge of the operations for the St John Ambulance Brigade this year. The 43-year-old from Gloucester has been working at the Festival since he was 16. He has moved on from being a cadet to head of operations, something he said he was very pleased with.

He added: "When I first started I was just working along the racecourse because at that time there was first aid cover on the fences. I grew up in Cheltenham Festival and come here every year. I've had a very interesting point of view having worked here for nearly my entire life.

"There are a lot of things to take care of to make sure everything runs smoothly. It's great to see many familiar faces and many old friends."

He is in charge of 36 first aid volunteers and five ambulance crews to respond to any emergencies.

He is very excited about the rest of the Festival and hopes there will be no major accidents.

He said: "It's important to keep the crew's morale up and to make sure they are warm enough. We've had no major incidents and the crew are working reasonably hard but at the same time enjoying themselves."

Twenty-six-year-old Victoria Smith from Cheltenham has problems walking since she was young when she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Prematurely born Victoria was in a wheelchair today as she watched the races. The young lady was with her good friend Kate Sturley also from Cheltenham, as they took in the races.

Victoria, who rides with the Cotswold RDA, said: "It's been a good day and a good season. The Festival is probably the crown of it and I love coming here every year. I'm hoping for a good few races. I've been a member of the racecourse since last year.

"All the staff have been very helpful and the racecourse has been set up for disabled people quite well, except for maybe the toilets.

"I do enjoy sports and riding which are a big part of my life."

4.45pm

Quevega has won the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

Racing reporter Jonathan Herbert had picked Quevega to come home in first place.

4.30pm

Echo reporter Michael Yong is on hand with the latest from the racecourse.

Good friends Martin Lee, 60, from Bath and Mel Coggins, 65, from Melksham have been unlucky not to win in every single race today.

Martin said: "It has been a great atmosphere considering how cold it has been. We've been coming now for 20-odd years and I'm loving it as always.

"I've been a little bit unlucky, it's just one of those days where sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Anyway we always come up on the first day as traditionally it's the best day besides Gold Cup day."

Mel said: "Unlucky today, but still great fun. All the excitement comes on the first day and I've enjoyed it generally."

Sixty-six-year-old Jeff Taylor from Preston just missed out on top spot but has enjoyed it. He said: "Not a winner so far but it's been a brilliant day and there's nothing quite like it anywhere else. I just missed out on top spot but will be trying a few more rounds."

4.04pm

HURRICANE Fly wins the fourth race of the day.

Racing reporter Jonathan Herbert had picked Rock On Ruby to cross the line first.

3.32pm

Report by Michael Yong, at the racecourse:

INDEPENDENT clothing company Cousins is celebrating its 30th anniversary of bringing ladies fashion to the Cheltenham Festival.

Alan Cousins, owner of the Montpellier company, said he was delighted to be one of the first to set up shop during the festival 30 years ago.

The shop stocks ladies fashion items such as tweed and handbags.

Alan, 62, who was a flat racing jockey between the ages of 16 and 30 said it was important for him to bring his shop to the festival every year.

He added: "My grandfather started the company many years ago and I took over the business after my father died.

"It has been very important for my family and to me personally to bring it to the festival.

"When my time had come and I had to leave the horse racing arena, I got involved in the business. I took it over with the help of my wife and brought it to the festival.

"Because of my racing days and my history I wanted to be one of the first here. Look at how it's come on so far.

"The number of shops during the festival grows every year. I saw an opportunity 30 years ago. There were all of these people, some of them have come a long way just to get to Cheltenham and I wanted to do something outside the box."

He mentioned that the town was very lucky to have the festival.

With more than 200,000 people expected at this year's festival, Alan is expecting business in Cheltenham to pick up.

He said: "The importance of the festival to Cheltenham is immense. If every visitor spends about £10 that is a huge amount.

"Everyone does well during the festival – hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, bed and breakfasts – everybody loves it. We are very lucky to have it here.

"We've had difficult times in recent years because of the recession, but we've worked hard and worked out the plus and minuses and I have a great team who work together to make it happen. We've managed to do that quite well.

"Trade has been good today and it's been a good first day for us, although it's a bit cold.

"We'll be here for the rest of the festival for anyone who might need us.

"I love it here and come every year. It's something I look forward to, having been born and brought up in Cheltenham."

3.31pm

GOLDEN Chieftain wins the third race of the day, ending Jonathan Herbert's streak of picking winners.

2.46pm

SIMONSIG wins the second race of the day, making racing reporter Jonathan Herbert two for two with correct predictions.

2.39pm

GLOUCESTER Rugby star James Simpson-Daniel is one of the sporting stars at the races today.

2.16pm

THE final race of today, the Cross Country at 5.45pm, has apparently been cancelled.

2.15pm

CHAMPAGNE Fever wins the first race of the Cheltenham Festival.

Jonathan Herbert, the Echo and Citizen's racing reporter, tipped the horse to win.

1.20pm

ACTOR Nathaniel Parker, from the The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, is among the famous faces at the racecourse today.

1.02pm

Report by Michael Yong at the racecourse:

LEGENDARY jockey Lester Piggott and horse racing commentator Sir Peter O'sullevan were at Cheltenham Racecourse today to sign copies of their books.

They proved one of the star attractions on the first day of the festival.

The pair were at the Arkle book shop in the middle of Prestbury Park to greet fans.

It was arranged by Bob Sutton, owner of Arkle book stall, from Warwick.

He said: "I am good friends with Sir Peter and he has been helping me with the book signings for the last three years and ever since Lester's book, Lester's Derby, has come out we have been promoting it.

"Lester normally comes on Gold Cup day but he decided to come for the first day and we are very excited to see him here.

"The reception has been brilliant and there was a lot of cameras anticipating his arrival. It is great to be part of the festival."

12.54pm

TRAFFIC is now flowing smoothly on most routes around the very chilly racecourse.

12.34pm

Report by Michael Yong, at the racecourse:

THOUSANDS of people have flooded into the racecourse in one of the jewels of British racing.

Stalls have been set up all across the racecourse as visitors from across the country come to Cheltenham for one of the greatest sporting events.

Despite temperatures staying close to freezing, spectators have not been deterred, and the snow has now given way to blue skies.

Despite assurances from organisers that the races would go ahead, all races have been pushed back by about half an hour.

Roger Mudge, 50, from Wiltshire has been coming to the festival for the past 11 years.

He said: "I'm just hoping for a nice week and to enjoy the great atmosphere and to minimise my losses".

Nigel Dimmer and his wife Sally, both from Cheltenham, have been involved with the racecourse for the last 30 years.

Nigel used to take care of the trophies and organise the prize giving for the racecourse.

He is excited as this is his first time back at Cheltenham Festival as a spectator.

He said: "It's great to be back at the racecourse and see many familiar faces.

"I've been involved for the last 30 years and worked here for more than 35 years.

"I had no problems coming in this morning and still have many friends here.

"It's going to be a great week for us."

His wife Sally added: "It's great to be back here – we've been here for the last 30 years and it looks like the cold has lifted a little bit."

12.07pm

TRAFFIC on Princess Elizabeth Way is currently queuing between Benhall roundabout and the PC World roundabout.

On the A40, traffic is heavy but moving from the Holy Apostles church to the racecourse.

Evesham Road is busy but vehicles are moving slowly in both directions.

The south car park at the racecourse is full. Vehicles will now be directed to the north car park.

There are now no major problems on the M5.

11.37am

THE south car park at the racecourse is now full. Vehicles are now being directed to the north car park.

11.36am

RACE times today are now 2.05pm, 2.40pm, 3.20pm, 4pm (Champion Hurdle), 4.40pm, 5.15pm and 5.45pm

11.24am

TRAFFIC is currently queuing back to the Benhall roundabout on Princess Elizabeth Way.

The A435 from Cleeve towards the Newlands Traffic lights is flowing freely.

Stationary traffic has cleared from the M5 sliproad for the moment.

11.04am

TRAFFIC is stationary heading towards Cheltenham Racecourse on the M5 sliproad at junction 10.

10.25am

RACING is officially on, festival bosses confirm, just before the course inspection was due to take place at 10.30am.

The first race is at 2:05pm, and there will be a further inspection of the cross country course at 2:15pm. The Cross Country race is scheduled for 5:45pm.

9.30am:

PUNTERS, jockeys and horses are preparing for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, but there is still uncertainty over whether today's racing will take place.

Sections of the track are frozen, and a course inspection will take place at 10.30am.

At the moment, the going is soft (Chase & Hurdle courses), frozen in a few places under the covers, and also soft on the Cross Country course, which is frozen in a few places too.Simon Claisse, head of racing, south west region and Cheltenham's clerk of the course, said: "It was minus 12C in the wind chill just before midnight according to our weather station and it was still minus 9C at 5am.

"That enabled the frost to get under the covers a bit. 90 per cent of the course is fine but obviously we cannot clear the course as fit to race until everything is 100 per cent OK.

"The problem areas tend to be on some of the take-offs and landings, on the slightly wider ground. We have fresh ground – seven to eight yards on the inside.

"We just have to be a bit careful of a horse going a little bit wide – it is on those areas that were worn a little bit in October, November, December which are frozen"

He was asked whether problem areas like that can be by-passed if necessary.

Claisse replied: "We will look at everything that we could possibly do to ensure that the meeting goes ahead today.

"Previously, we have forked crusty areas and, if we had to, we would go around any hurdles and fences but it is not easy to make a full assessment while the covers are still on.

"We will begin to strip them at 10am. The good news is that the temperature has risen a degree or so in the air – though it might not feel it in the wind.

"The forecast is for plus one1C by 10am and plus 3C by noon if the sun comes out. If that happens, we should be OK.

"We are not running on the Cross Country Course until 4pm and again the afternoon temperatures are meant to reach plus 4C or plus 5C. That course may take a bit longer to get fit when the sun comes out but it should be all right by 4pm.

"I remain optimistic about racing going ahead but you never quite know what is happening with this weather.

"Our experiences last night were beyond anything we had ever seen before."

CATHOLICS in North East Lincolnshire must continue their nervous wait for the papal election after cardinals failed to elect a new pope in the Vatican conclave.

Black smoke rose out of the Sistine chapel chimney indicating their ballot had been inconclusive.

It follows the shock resignation of Benedict XVI last month.

Local Catholics in North East Lincolnshire hope the new Pope will 'sort out' the Vatican Government and make stronger links with other leading religions, like Islam.

In an interview earlier today, Father James Earley of St Pius Church X, in Chelmsford Avenue said: "This is an opportunity for the Catholic Church to look to the future. It is a tough job for anyone and even tougher at this particular time with the economic environment and the fall away numbers of the church.

"He (the new Pope) must have charisma, theology, evangelion and management skills."

The vote started today with a mass in St Peter's Basilica at 10am local time.

They entered the Sistine Chapel at 4.30pm where they will remain until one candidate recieves at least 77 votes required for vitory.

RESIDENTS are being warned not to fall for a postal scam circulating in North East Lincolnshire.

Two elderly homeowners have reported receiving a letter informing them they have been allocated £3.5 million from an organisation called IPO.

The scam asks that, to release the money, claimants must submit either £40 cash or £50 postal order – money they will never see again.

Steve Kirk, 54, of Soloman Court, Cleethorpes, is chairman of the Beacon Hill Connect group and a neighbour of the two people who reported the letters.

Steve has expressed his concerns in the Grimsby Telegraph because one of the victims was trying to find the correct address to send a cheque to, and wanted everyone to be wary.

"I've never seen this particular letter before," he said.

"It's very concerning. One of my elderly neighbours who received the letter was asking another resident if he knew where he needed to send the money to.

"If he had seen the address he would have sent the money. A sum of £40 or £50 may not sound like a lot of money to some people but to people living on pensions it could make a big difference.

"They always manage to find the most vulnerable people. I don't know how they do it.

"Many people will just throw the letters in the bin but some are not as alert.

"I want people to be aware of this latest letter scam and hopefully we can prevent anyone falling victim to it.

"The people behind these scams are scum of the earth. If you receive one of these letters I will happily come round and rip it up for you."

Councillor Dave Bolton, portfolio holder for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, but some people will try anything to get their hands on some easy money.

"Anyone suspecting a scam or receiving potentially fraudulent communication in any form can seek advice from Citizen's Advice on 0845 040506."

GRIMSBY Town's bosses are hopeful that Craig Disley's hamstring injury won't keep him out of action for long.

The skipper sustained the injury before half-time in Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat at Mansfield Town.

And, although the midfielder soldiered on until the break, he was unable to reappear for the second half.

Co-manager Paul Hurst admits that the 31-year-old would be a big miss for Town as they continue their promotion push, but is remaining optimistic.

"It was a disappointing night what with losing Craig Disley to injury at half-time," he said. "That didn't help us, although Andi (Thanoj) came on and did all right.

"Hopefully, he has just tweaked his hamstring. It's a bit early to diagnose it 100 per cent, but he certainly hasn't ruptured it or anything.

"He ran back, blocked a cross and felt it, but carried on until the break.

"At half-time he wasn't able to continue, so we are hoping that he has not caused too much damage because he is our captain and he has been playing particularly well.

"On Tuesday, he moved the ball and kept play ticking over for us nicely in the first half."

Hurst added: "We have to deal with these things.

"It wasn't the luckiest night for us, but we're not going to feel sorry for ourselves.

"The players' heads were down but they need to pick themselves up."

A COUPLE have told of their heartache after their daughter – lured into a life of drugs and crime by her murderer ex-boyfriend – stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from them.

Diane and Rob Woollis believe their daughter Beth Woollis – the former girlfriend of convicted murderer Luke Griffiths – was influenced by him and his family.

They had hoped once Griffiths, his father Lee, brother Thomas and step-brother Mark Jackson had been jailed for the murder of Adam Vincent she would get her life back on track.

However, at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 18-year-old Beth, of Albion Street, admitted to stealing £1,500 of gold jewellery from her parents – including Diane's engagement ring – while staying with them in November last year.

She sold on the items to Money Shop stores in Hainton Avenue and Victoria Street through their buy-back scheme for a total of £285.

Diane said: "I can't believe she has done something like this to us. We have noticed bits of money going missing in the past, but never thought she would do something this bad."

In a further blow, Diane – who had previously had the items valued at £4,900 – said she had been told in order to get the jewellery back, she would have to buy it, for £450.84.

And, if she can't come up with the cash within seven months of the sale, it could be sold on to the general public.

She said: "I just can't believe that they are expecting me to pay to get my own things back.

"We're not rich people. We don't have that kind of money to spare."

She said Humberside Police informed them they had no power to seize the jewellery.

"The way the law stands now, anyone can walk in with anyone's jewellery and there's nothing the owner can do about it.

"Someone could break into every house in your street, pinch the jewellery and sell it on, no questions asked."

A spokesman for the Money Shop said: "The Money Shop does oblige customers to certify to their ownership of goods and proof of identity has to be provided and recorded.

"Certain items with verifiable serial numbers are cross-checked, however in the majority of cases this is not possible.

"To date, the police have not approached The Money Shop in relation to these events, however, the account concerned has been suspended."

A police spokesman said: "During investigations involving items which have been stolen, detectives and investigating officers follow guidance issued as part of the Property Act in order to ensure we make the most of our opportunities to gather evidence and seize any property which may aid in bringing charges to a suspect.

"This process can change on a case-by-case basis, depending on the evidence available and the circumstances of the theft.

"In this instance, police are taking a look back at the investigation to ensure that the correct decisions were made in order to identify any areas for possible improvement in this process in the future so it is not appropriate to comment any further.

Beth, who also admitted stealing a quantity of meat from Sainsbury's Alexandra Retail Park store on March 6, will be sentenced on April 8.

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.