SHOCKING pictures show how empty Ascot Racecourse looks on it's first day of it's biggest summer racing event.

This year's Royal Ascot event has gone ahead behind closed doors in like with government guidelines.

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But it paints a poignant picture, as the town is deserted for the first time in years.

There are no people queueing at the ticket office or crowds of eager racegoers walking from Ascot train station.

Usually by this point in the day, the grandstand would be packed with people holding their racecards ready to bet on the first race of Royal Ascot.

The News has sourced a number of pictures of how Royal Ascot looks today on this momentous occasion.

Scroll through our gallery online to see then and now pictures.