PRECISION, technique and a steady hand were the order of the day when the Red Rose Land Rover Club held its annual novice trial competition.

The Tyrol Novice Trial Course was open for Land Rover lovers who fancied trying their luck at off-road activities for the first time.

And the event was just one of many staged by the club during an action-packed weekend at Osbaldeston Riding School which offered fun for all the family.

From the 1954 Series One models to the modern day Land Rover 90, owners tested their driving skills over the 10 gate course which was across different terrains of varying difficulty.

Drivers were given penalty points every time they hit a gate or stopped in an event where 20 drivers took part.

And it was the old timers who showed the new cars on block how to do it when Jon Dobson won the overall award in his 1954 Series One when he completed the course conceding just three penalty points.

And there was double delight for the Ormskirk man who also won the special Tor View Dianne Award, which is named after a horse, for the best leaf spring suspension vehicle.

The competition was followed by a combination of brain power and horse power as drivers teamed up to negotiate a series of tricky tasks.

Teams had to take part in tasks from sledge pulling to driving blind folded where navigators guided their partners.

Saturday's activities ended with something for the children as youngsters took part in pedal bike trial and then orienteering where they had to find letters that spelt out the name Freelander.

On Sunday the competitive edge was still there with this time the events moved to the off-road circuit course and a special eight section gymkhana. The off-road course, which included the popular see-saw and water ramp, was well marshalled by expert drivers who were on hand to help competitors in tricky situations.

Scores for each event were added up and the overall winner was Mick Lill of Manchester in his 1948 Series One model.

The day ended with a leisurely scenic drive before the prize giving.

The most unusual vehicle award went to Ian Smith of Ramsbottom for his rare Belgium-made Minerva which has a steel chassis rather than aluminium.

Mark Kempsey of Spennymoor won the Series One award while Jim Quarrell of Leyland won the Series Three prize.

Peter Griffin of Blackburn caught the spirit of the event when he took part and helped organise the event, even though he had his ankle in plaster.

He was rightly awarded the annual Spirit of the Event award.

The final award of the day, the Gillian Wheelright Memorial Trophy, for the best 80 inch wheelbase every day use vehicle went to Judith Ridgeway for her 1950 Series One model.

The event is now in its sixth year and has been held at Osbaldeston Riding Centre for the past two years.

Event organiser Harold Lowe said: "As always everyone who took part really enjoyed themselves because it was very much family orientated. I would like to thank Norman Bargh for letting us use the land and also Hillendale Land Rovers in Nelson for sponsoring the event."

Anyone who would like to know more about the Red Rose Land Rover Club should contact chairman Brian Hart on 01772 709391.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.