THE streets of Watchet became a wacky grand prix circuit on Sunday (May 24) as thousands poured into the town to enjoy the thrills and spills of the annual wheelbarrow race, hailed as the best in its 25-year history.

Scorching temperatures did not deter the 28 entrants from racing their customised wheelbarrows at breakneck speed round the narrow streets.

Despite eight obligatory ‘pit stops’ around the course, to drink half a pint of beer or cider, Wayfinders (Ricky and Lynsey Small) were overall winners, finishing in a record time of 5 min 41 sec.

Wayfinders were also the first mixed team to win the race.

The second fastest time was 5 min 49 sec, from Too Good Drinkers (Andy and Tom Toogood) who finished first in the men’s category.

Kevin and Jennie Porter, who helped organise the Watchet Carnival fund-raising event, said: “We congratulate the competitors for their outfits in the fancy dress competition and how everybody dressed their wheelbarrows.

“It was fantastic.

“We had a bumper crowd of thousands which was superb.

“Everybody was very happy, friendly, and having a great time.

“Our grateful thanks to Ben Prescott Entertainment for compering and providing the music.

“Thanks also to all the carnival club and pit stop organisers.”

Winners

Men: 1 Too Good Drinkers (Andy and Tom Toogood); 2 Pour Decisions (Tom Birch and Jim Edmunds); 3 The Drystone Rollers (Dave Tolley and Nigel Small).

Women: 1 Wednesday (Ellie-May Puttick and Amy Duffield); 2 The Scarecrows Wedding (Sophie Hudson and Mimi Floyd); 3 The Calamities (Lynn Mayne and Kelsey Duffield).

Mixed: 1 Wayfinders (Ricky and Lynsey Small); 2 Chicken run (Alex Seys and Lissie Preston); 3 Hot Fuzz (Georgie and Lewis Febery).

Fancy Dress: 1 ‘Wait! Is that a massive...’ (Sam Tapp and Neil Freeman); 2 Wayfinders (Ricky and Lynsey Small); 3 Up! (Regan Gallagher and Wez Hopwood).