A NEW event is taking place in Porlock to toast the area's history and raise money for charity at the same time. The first-ever Porlock Smugglers' Run is set to take place next Sunday (September 14) and will see teams of "smugglers" carrying empty beer kegs from Porlock across the marsh and beach to Porlock Weir. One of the event's founders, Chris Gladstone, who runs a B and B in the village, said: "We wanted a new event that would get people enthused and also commemorate the long history of smuggling that this area has. "The coastal area around Porlock Weir was very much associated with smuggling in the 18th and 19th centuries with the smugglers using caves and other hiding places for their loot. "As well as alcohol, they would smuggle a variety of highly-taxed goods including tea, cloth and tobacco and became very practiced at evading the customs men." The event will involve two races, one for adults and one for families, both to be run in fancy dress. For the adult race, teams of four will transport an empty beer barrel the mile and a half from the village to the weir, with checkpoints along the route where customs men with water pistols will fire at them. For the family race, teams of four will tackle the same route but carrying a cloth sack full of booty. There will be prizes for the first three teams in each race and every participant will get a free drink at the Bottom Ship pub in Porlock Weir. Sponsored by St Austell Brewery, the aim of the Smugglers Run is not only to have fun but also to raise money for Minehead RNLI. Entry forms are available from Porlock Visitor Centre with an entry fee of £10 per team. There will be a maximum of ten teams per race, so all entry forms should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Call 01643 862996 to enter or visit Porlock Visitor Centre.