MEN and women downed pints as they took part in the wacky Wheelbeero Race. The event is firmly established in the Pewsey Carnival calendar.

It was held last Thursday and thousands of people turned out to cheer the participants on.

There were 132 entries, which is an increase on last year.

The teams of three have to push a wheelbarrow on a two and a quarter mile course around Pewsey while drinking pints at eight pubs along the way.

The teams are racing against the clock and the fastest team wins £150.

The quickest teams can get round the course in under 15 minutes.

Everyone in the team has to wear fancy dress.

The team members can swop around who sits in the wheelbarrow, who pushes and who pulls it but someone must sit in the wheelbarrow at all times.

Tony Kimber, who has organised the race for the past 22 years, changed the rules a few years ago so that only one pint is consumed at each pub in order to stop people being ill.

For all women teams they can share a pint.

One of the teams this year comprised RAF pilots from America, Spain and Canada.

Mr Kimber said: "They took part in last year's race and had such good fun that they came back this year."

The race started with a parade of all teams past the Post Office.

The teams then set off from River Street and finished in High Street by the Fire Station.

Part of the course involves splashing through the River Avon, which the teams particularly enjoy.

Mr Kimber said: "The standard of fancy dress was very, very high this year.

"People are out for sheer fun. That is the idea of the race," he said.

"It's a big event and is far bigger than Marlborough and Devizes Carnivals put together."

Mr Kimber thanked all the people who helped to marshal the event.

One of those who took part in the race was Matthew Jump from Easton Royal.

Mr Jump took part with his friends William Franks and Mark Day.

Mr Jump said: "I have taken part in the race three times and we have always finished it.

"This year was relatively easy although I was sick before the end. But if you don't compete it's not the same," Mr Jump said.