ONE of the most glamorous events in the Scottish racing calendar is romping 'home' to South Lan- arkshire after a four-year spell in Ayr.
Staff at Hamilton Park Racecourse are delighted after sealing a return for the famous and hugely popular Saints & Sinners Night.
The high-profile charity meeting, a colourful event staged in summer had been held at Hamilton Park for 42 consecutive years and built up a huge following until 2007, when it moved to Ayr Racecourse.
Now following talks between organisers the Saints and Sinners Club of Scotland charity and Hamilton Park management, the fixture will return to the South Lanarkshire town next June and be re-established as a social centrepiece of the race venue's season.
Philip Martin, Saints and Sinners Club of Scotland racing convener, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be returning to Hamilton Park next summer.
"On behalf of the Saints and Sinners Club of Scotland I'd like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone at Ayr Racecourse for being such warm hosts for the past four years.
"However, as a committee we see a real geographical advantage in the fixture being staged in Hamilton and much closer to the population and corporate bases of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
"We look forward to working with the management team at Hamilton Park to ensure the 2012 fixture is a huge success."
The glamorous summer fixture, which attracts celebrity support and attendance from all walks of Scottish life, regularly raises a significant sum which goes towards around 100 causes supported by the charity.
Among stars who have appeared at the event have been singers Stacey Solomon and Danii Minogue.
Among its beneficiaries in the past have been the St Andrew's Hospice, the Dementia Services Development Trust and Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres.
It is expected that the fixture will be staged on the evening of Thursday, June 28.
Hamilton Park chief executive, Vivien Kyles, said: "On a personal level I am really excited as its departure to Ayr occurred just prior to my arrival at Hamilton Park so I'm looking forward to working with the team here.
"It's an event I've heard so many good things about.
"However, the most important element of this is the charity and helping the Saints and Sinners Club of Scotland raise as much money as possible to aid so many great causes.
"By returning to the central belt and by strong partnership working, we will strive to deliver an event which achieves just that."
The event attracts a who's who of Scottish celebrities.
In 2010, Ayr's penultimate hosting of the Saints and Sinners Night saw X Factor winner Alexandra Burke perform and £35,000 was raised for charity.
Alan Macdonald, Ayr Racecourse chairman, said: "We enjoyed a fantastic four years with Saints and Sinners and are proud to have raised well in excess of £100,000 for worthwhile charities.
"We wish Phillip Martin and his team success on their return to Hamilton Park."
stef.lach@heraldandtimes.co.uk