BIG crowds turned out for the ‘best ever’ Longridge Pram Race, at the weekend.

Every Boxing Day, competitors in fancy dress race along the town’s streets to raise money for local charities.

And David Radford, who helped to organise the event, said: “It went really well.

“We had 71 teams, with about 420 people, taking part.

“It was a good atmosphere. I’d say it was the best day we have ever had.

“It’s been growing every year since it started and now it seems to have levelled off a bit as we had a similar number of competitors last year.”

The event started and finished at the Duke William pub in Chapel Hill, with competitors leaving at three five-minute intervals from noon.

Traditional rockets were launched at the event by Field Day president Bill Houghton.

Last year, more than £1,600 was raised, but that was almost doubled with £3,000 being raised.

OJ’s Autism Awareness - a charity that organises activity days for disabled children from the Longridge and Ribble Valley areas - was the beneficiary.

Mr Radford said he will carry on the event next year.

He said: “We are going to start planning for next year’s event. It takes about six months to organise.”