A fundraiser for The Mendip School in Shepton Mallet was all the excuse needed for a fun wheelbarrow race, the first of its kind, around Binegar today.

Sixteen teams, in colourful and fantastic costumes, raced around the 1.6 mile course, stopping only at one port, for a port (and a sausage roll), for a fun, run if-they-wanted event.

It was the first time the village had come together for this kind of race, which started and finished at the aptly named Horse and Jockey pub. It might date from the 18th Century but some of the costumes were a very modern take on a scarecrow. A few of the teams were definitely in it to win it, and wore trainers and shorts, while others were just happy to be there to support the landlady of the pub, Nikki Hutchison, whose son Jack attends the popular school.

The teams went on their way with some health and safety advice. The rules: " All wheelbarrows must have a current MoT, strictly no humans in the wheelbarrows and enter at your own risk." There was a final warning to wheelers. " Have fun" - which it certainly seemed they did.