SCORES of people in weird and wonderful costumes braved the bitter New Year's Day chill to take part in the annual charity pram race at Sutton Valence, near Maidstone. Grown men dressed as babies and women, a man in a sombrero and girls in school uniform were just some of the sights on view at the two-mile running and drinking challenge.

Hundreds of people from Sutton Valence and neighbouring villages watched on as 12 teams fought it out for the title of pram race winners. The race, which was first run more than 20 years ago, involves teams of three completing two laps of a circuit around the hilly village.

The 'prams' ranged from shopping trolleys and pushchairs to makeshift miniature vans and a seat on skis. Having completed one lap, each team member had to drink half a pint of bitter at each of the four pubs on the route before crossing the line in the centre of the village.

After much jostling at the start of the race, the race quickly developed in to a two-pram race, between reigning champions Machmole and the team from the Queen's Head pub. It was the pub team, which included two Sutton Valence Hockey Club members, Richard and Andrew Turnill, who eventually emerged as champions. The student brothers, aged and 19 and 18, and their team mate Liz Piedot, 20, were presented with their trophy by the Sutton Valence councillor and Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Paulina Stockell. She also judged the best-dressed team prize, which was awarded to the Pepperbox team dressed as the Three Musketeers.

The event was run in aid of the Mayor's chosen charity, the Demelza House Children's Hospice near Sittingbourne.

Parish councillor and event organiser, Lyndon Davies, said: "The nice thing about the event is that everyone around the village comes out to watch and wish everyone a happy New Year. It is a lovely thing to do on New Year's Day.