A GROUP of madcap residents are helping to maintain the quirky Valley tradition of hashing.

Chris Honey is the organiser of The Forest of Rossendale’s Black Pudding Hashers who take to Valley’s hills to follow a flour trail maze.

The club, whose members refer to themselves as ‘a drinking club with a running problem’, follow a tradition that was launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, shortly before the Second World War by a group of soldiers.

The trail setter known as ‘The Hasher’ runs ahead of the group laying a trail in flour for the rest of the group to follow.

The group made up of mixed age groups of males and females drink alcohol while following the trail often dressed in funny clothes.

Chris, who chose the theme of funny hats for this Hash said: “Hashing is an old tradition that started in 1938.

“We have about 12 regular members and we often travel to other towns to join their hashers on a trail.

“Our latest event went really well and we are planning a fundraising hash for Rossendale Hospice.”

The Valley is known for a number of quirky traditions, including black pudding throwing, gravy wrestling and is more famously known as the home of the Britannia Coconutters.