Hampshire's Ropley Pram Race draws in the crowds for its 57th event

On Monday, May 29 hundreds of spectators, racers and volunteers gathered at Ropley Recreation Ground, near Alresford, ready for the annual Spring Bank Holiday event which dates back to 1965.

Thirty-seven teams took part, with prizes for the best dressed and the quickest times. Competitors start and finish at the recreation ground and complete a two-mile course around the village, with one person having to sit in the pram at all times.

However, this rule did go out the window, with some of the prams dressed for style over speed and practicality.

READ MORE: Photos from Ropley Pram Race 2001

Charlotte Sandell, from Ropley, was back for her fifth pram race this year, spending most of the day prior to turning her pram into the house from UP.

Charlotte, 23, said: “It’s the taking part that counts. The fun brings me back every year, it’s a really great village event so you have to take part, you can’t not.

“Disney is always a winner so why not do UP, it’s just two costumes and a house. We’re hoping to make it round the course in one piece and try not to lose any wheels.”

Unfortunately, Charlotte and her team mate lost one of the wheels quite soon into the race and both ended up having to run.

After a near 30-year hiatus, Stuart Laidlaw, from Southampton, thought it was time he came back to compete but this time pushing his two kids Chloe and Soph who opted for princess dresses with a castle pram and their dad as a dragon.

Stuart, 45, said: “The castle took most of the week to make. We’re just happy to be here. It’s just really nice to get everyone out and see everyone in the village, there’s such a great community spirit.”

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Tim Day was on the mic throughout the morning, helping out at his 56th ever pram race.

Mr Day said: “Rumour has it, it started as a joke between some friends who were visiting one of the local pubs and it grew from there.

“We don’t advertise it, people just turn up. It’s become a regular on the calendar. There’s a great crowd here today.”

“I’ve been thinking about whether we should apply to the Guinness World Book or records as it’s been 58 years so definitely worth a try.

“There’s such a sense of community spirit. It’s an annual event that seems to manifest itself every year but secretly it’s due to a small committee which keeps it going. It keeps the village together.”

Winchester and District Athletics Club sprinters Rohan Gray and Alex Beck comfortably snatched the trophy for the quickest time, coming in at 14 minutes and 25 seconds.

Speaking after their win, Alex, who made his pram race debut, said: “It was good but it’s time for a pint now I reckon. We wanted to bring it home.”

Rowan added: “This is my third race, it’s a great tradition. We were just trying to keep up with the pace car.

“Our pram has been in the family for about 20 years, it has done many a race. It’s a bit shaky now but still going strong.”

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Making their 20th appearance, the ‘Newts’ team once again impressed with their creativity in Doctor Who fancy dress and a huge tardis ‘pram’.

The long-term pram racing team of villagers is renowned for its extravagant costumes and constructions as well as usually placing last.

This year, they could have used some time travelling magic as the tardis’ motor packed up before they’d even made it out of the recreation ground. Fortunately, a Land Rover was on standby to tow them back to the finish line where the Doctor and his cyberman sprayed the crowd with water.

Newts team member, Graham Arnott, said: “We just love messing around and building stuff, it’s great. We don’t do it for the race and we try not to shadow the creativity of others. It’s not the first time our batteries have failed us.

“Seeing the community come out on a day like this is wonderful. We’ve watched kids being pushed by their parents grow up and now push their own kids, which is amazing to see. It’s all a bit eccentric and a bit odd.”

Click through the gallery at the top of the page to see more pictures from Stuart Martin.