Taunton Racecourse has just been granted planning permission to construct a reservoir in the centre of the course to support the installation of an irrigation system which will enable the groundstaff to water and ensure safe ground for horses going into the latter stages of the season.

Work on the new facility will start soon and will be completed by the end of the year ready to start watering if required in the spring.

There is plenty for west-country punters to look forward to this season at the Orchard Portman course, starting with the first of the 16 scheduled fixtures, the Family Fun Day Race Meeting, on Tuesday October 30, when the first of the seven races on the card is due off at 1.30pm.

With a cool £33,000 up for grabs in prize money, combined with the wet weather, it is expected there will be a sizeable number of entries for the opening meeting.

The feature race of the day is a Class 3 Handicap Steeplechase over two miles and half a furlong and carries prize money worth £9,000.

The final action of the day is The Promiseworks Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race over two miles and a furlong.

Promise Works supports a county wide mentoring and advocacy service in Somerset for young people and children aged between 5 and 19 years who are experiencing difficulties at home, in care or with education and training.

In addition to the action on the course there is plenty to entertain all the family, including a fun fair, a dog display team, a ball pit, bouncy castle and mega slide.

B Company of the 6th Battalion Rifles will be present with their paintball gallery as well as giving practical demonstrations.

Admission starts at £9, with accompanied under 16s free. Discounts of up to 20% can be found at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk