TRIBUTES have been paid to the former chairman of Bangor on Dee Racecourse.

Sir Charles Douglas Lowther, the Sixth Baronet of Erbistock Hall, has died age 72 after an illness.

He was also a director of Chester Racecourse until 2016.

Sir Charles Douglas Lowther, the sixth baronet was born on January 22, 946 and died at his home at Erbistock Hall on October 2.

Paying tribute, the Leader's racing correspondent, Arthur Shone said: "Sir Charles was a very passionate man of the turf. He was a director at Chester racecourse from 1994 to 2016.

"At Bangor on Dee he was on the board from 1993 until his death. He was also chairman of Bangor on Dee Racecourse from 2002 until 2016.

"From a personal point of view I always used to enjoying chatting to Sir Charles on the racecourses and the point to point to tracks.

"He had such enthusiasm for racing and especially for the North Wales course which he loved."

One person who knew him better than most was Bangor on Dee’s racecourse manager Jeannie Chantler, who has very fond memories of Sir Charles Lowther, known to his many friends in racing as 'Charlie'.

She said: “I have worked in many roles at Bangor on Dee and have known Charlie for many years. He had a great passion for this place.

"He was instrumental in improving and developing the course, he took a very keen interest in everything at the racecourse when he first came on to the board in the 1990’s.

"I went to see him two weeks ago before he died at home, at he was very ill then, all he asked me about was how Bangor racecourse was doing, he had such a great passion for this place, he will be sadly missed.”

Sir Charles leaves a wife Lady Rose, son Patrick and daughter Alice.