AN art school student has designed the first new set of racing silks to be worn by jockeys for 250 years.

Henry Griffin, 21, of The Chestnuts, Abridge, who studies design at Central St Martins in London, won a competition to design the 12 silks that will be worn for the race at Ascot on July 9.

He said: “My concept was based on fruit machine symbols and the shapes of fruit machines.

“Originally, the idea was from popping to the betting shop when I was a kid with my dad.

“Because not 18 I had to wait outside and through the window, I could see the fruit machine and I could see the horseracing on the TV at the same time, so it was always there sub-consciously."

The former Debden Park High School pupil, who grew up in Willingale Road, Loughton, said his family was fond of racing and would be travelling to Ascot, Berkshire, with him to watch his designs in action.

“I had an interest in racing and I’ve been to Newmarket a couple of times,” he said. “My uncle Perry is a massive racing fan, so I’ve always been exposed to it, and my nan would have a sweepstake for the Grand National every year.”

He will travel to a specialist manufacturer in Oxfordshire on Thursday to see his designs made into a reality before the race.

The competition to find new racing colours was organised by Racing for Change, which aims to broaden the appeal of the sport and 37 students entered.