Four environmental campaigners who disguised themselves as staff members at Royal Ascot then tied themselves to a race finishing post have appeared in court.

Slough Magistrates' court heard the stunt at the famous racecourse could have cost organisers "millions of pounds".

Jessica Agar, 21, Samantha Smithson, 38, and Lucy Porter, 46, and Sally Davidson, 33, were all charged with obstructing or disrupting a lawful activity, namely horse racing.

All four defendants, who have been linked to campaign group Extinction Rebellion, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday afternoon.

The court heard the women attended the racecourse wearing staff uniforms and name badges before attaching themselves to barriers and unfurling banners, causing a short delay to a race.

Prosecutors said although no significant damage had been caused, potential race cancellations following the incident "would have resulted in a loss of millions of pounds" for organisers.

The women appeared in court in person dressed in colourful clothing, including matching green ties, and Ms Agar wore an XR branded face covering.

Agar, Smithson and Porter, all of no fixed address and Davidson, from London were all granted bail.

A further case management hearing will take place in front of the district judge at Reading Magistrates' court on August 3.