A LONG-running tradition kicked off the new year with a record turnout in Ponteland.

Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race, which has been running for over 700 years, attracted its largest number of 60 entrants this year, and organisers say a huge crowd came out to support the event.

Participants took part in the circular dash which starts and ends at the Blackbird Inn, and the event raised almost £2,000 to be shared between the two nominated charities - St Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle and Tynedale Hospice at Home in Hexham.

The race is organised by Ponteland Rugby Club and Ponteland 41 Club, with support from the Blackbird Inn, while Jewsons of Ponteland kindly loaned the wheelbarrows.

There were three races; an open race, a ladies' race and a junior race. The winners of the open race were James and Richard Leiper, while the ladies' race winners were Jo Shallcross and Michi Herlbauer. Amy Geddes and Drew Slater, who both play rugby at Ponteland Rugby Club, came first in the junior race.

The event attracted some familiar faces and had some quirky appearances, including 49-year-old Dave Taylor who has taken part in the race for four years - the past three with a kitchen sink on his back.

Dave has worked as a chef in St Oswald's Hospice for 25 years and was partnered with Clare Richardson, a volunteer at the hospice.

Dave, who lives in Ponteland, said: “The wheelbarrow race is such a tradition in Ponteland and it really brings the whole community together. There is always a fantastic atmosphere and it’s a brilliant way to kick off a new year and raise funds for the hospice.

"I turn 50 in 2017, so it seems fitting to celebrate my big birthday with a big donation to a charity so close to my heart.”

Stuart Young, operations manager at the Blackbird Inn, said: "The family of one of our directors raised money through sponsorship and we got donations from regular customers too. We had a tub on the bar and all together managed to raise over £1,000 in addition to the money raised by the organisers.

"It was a great atmosphere and fantastic day. Celebrations went on until the end of the day and I would say it's the best day of the year for Ponteland."