Gandalf and Bilbo beat Ant, Dec, and Del Boy's three wheeler to win pram race

The Bolney Pram Race returned on Easter Monday, March 28, with dozens of adults and children dressing up as famous characters and riding specially made prams through the village, all in aid of good causes.

The event has been held for 25 years and has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

This year saw Del Boy and Rodney turn up in their trusty Reliant Regal, a ship which almost ‘took off’ and even a Viking longboat which sailed its way to the finish.

Emma Wasyliw, landlady at the Eight Bells pub in the village and one of the event organisers, said despite the wet weather in the morning the village was ‘blessed’ with sunshine by the time the races kicked off.

She said: “It was a fantastic day and we were so blessed with the weather.

“We had 14 adult prams and nine children’s prams. We also had 300 to 400 spectators.

“There was one pram we were worried might take off. It had two sails and it was called ‘Take off unlikely’.

“As well as being a good fundraiser it was a good way to bring the village together.”

The event was split into two races, an adult race and an under 16s.

Both began at the pub, with the adult race circling the village before returning via The Street to the pub, whilst the youngsters travelled up the road and back down again.

No-one could pass the Grey Wizard and his Hobbit friend, Bilbo, as the pair claimed first prize in the adults’ race.

Gandalf, also known as Mark Streater, and Bilbo, Mark’s son Christian, were the ‘Lord of the Trings’ and beat off stern competition from the knights of the realm, Ant and Dec and even a boat full of Vikings.

In the children’s race Isobel Barrow and Jessica Courtney rode the winning pram aptly named ‘Go Faster’.

All the money raised through sponsorship and collections on the day will be supporting two local charities SERV Sussex, which transports blood and other emergency medical items to hospitals out-of-hours, and the Chailey Heritage Foundation, which provides education, care and transition services young people with complex physical disabilities.

Emma added: “We had raised £3,000 in sponsorship before the day.

“We are not sure how much we have raised in total but we hope to raise between £6,000 and £7,000. It was a great family day out which included everyone who watched.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.