CROWDS lined the streets in Whitchurch to cheer on teams dressed in a range of creative costumes as part of an annual pub race.

A total of 34 teams, made up of nearly 190 people, took part in the popular Whitchurch Pub Race which pulls in the pounds for Whitchurch Festival Association, on Sunday.

Starting from the Kings Arms, in Church Street at 3.30pm, the first team to set off was Peck It and Neck It who were dressed in Ostrich costumes.

The rest of the teams followed, downing half-a-pint before walking or running the route with encouragement from spectators as they reached the Whitchurch Silk Mill.

From here, the teams stopped at the Longmeadow Sports and Social Club before making their way to The Red House, The Prince Regent and through Lynch Hill Park and Station Road where passers-by donated their change to collections buckets carried by each team.

One team popular with the crowd was the Lazy Boys, who won first place for their costumes, which were made to look like a typical living room complete with a television, lampshade and two armchairs.

Other fancy dress costumes on the day included a group dressed as native Indians, a safari team, a group dressed up as a Rio De Janeiro-themed carnival and firefighters from Whitchurch fire station came dressed in their uniform.

The final two stops on the scenic tour around the town saw the teams visit The Bell and the White Hart and in the town centre, participants were greeted by cheers from hundreds of spectators.

Awards were presented to the winning teams later on in the evening, with trophies given out to the fastest team around the course which went to Cleo and the Mummies who completed the race in just under two hours.

Other awards presented at the White Hart included the best fancy dress and the most money raised which went to Fire, Fire, Pants On Fire – the team of firefighters from Whitchurch fire station.

Rob Dunlop, chairman of the Whitchurch Festival Association and the organiser of the event, told The Gazette: “It was a really good event, a really good atmosphere and it was another great turnout across the town.

“It really does bring the community out. One of the good things was that all teams were there to join in and they took the time which is what the event is all about and it was nice to see the range of outfits this year.”

Nearly £4,000 was raised from the event which will go back into popular community events such as the Whitchurch firework event in November.