BANK holiday sunshine brought out bumper crowds in Minehead and Dunster this week for a centuries old tradition which has survived into the new millennium.

The Minehead Original Sailors Hobby Horse and its gullivers paraded through the streets for three days of fun and charity fund-raising.

It ended on Wednesday evening with an official booting ceremony at Cher Steep, with a repeat performance shortly afterwards in Wellington Square.

The bootie involved the horse catching victims and booting them ten times before making them dance around while trying to avoid being lashed by its tail.

Hobby horse joint-custodian Peter Creech said: "It all went very well. We had a lot of support.

"The weather has been very good and brought out lots of people, especially over the bank holiday Monday.

"We have had a very good season and, although I have not had the final count, we have raised something like £1,200."

Mr Creech said the money would be divided as in previous years between the Minehead branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the town's MENCAP home, in Bampton Street.

He thanked West Somerset District Council and Inspector Rod Price, head of Minehead police, and his officers for help with a temporary closure of the A39 for the bootie to take place.

Mr Creech also praised police for quietly ensuring trouble did not occur with over-enthusiastic crowds.

The hobby horse frolics began on the eve of May Day with a show night procession from the harbourside around the streets of Minehead.

This year's May Queen was Chloe Watson, a pupil at Minehead Middle School, who trains with the Manda Clarke School of Dancing.

She was crowned by former hobby horse custodian John Leech in keeping with tradition during a ceremony held in White Cross at 5am on Monday.

"John as usual has been brilliant at helping and supporting us," said Mr Creech.

As well as various parts of Minehead, the horse also travelled to Dunster on Monday and appeared at the Yarn Market and Dunster Castle before parading around the village.

The Manda Clarke School of Dancing again provided its Bratton Maids to dance with the horse at Dunster Castle.

Mr Creech said: "It is an old tradition and I would like to see it long continue.

"It is a time for children especially and, of course, the charities are going to benefit from it."

Although the official hobby horse season has ended, the crew may still have further appearances to make this year.

An event is being planned at Dunster Beach for the spring bank holiday on May 29 which could feature the hobby horse.

And the horse could make a trip to an area of Italy where a similar type of tradition is carried out.

Mr Creech said an Italian traditionalist group had been in touch during the past year wanting to learn as much as possible about the hobby horse.

"There is a possibility we could be going out there some time, which is something to look forward to," he said.