THE ale on a boozy Christmas three-legged race was so good, a few competitors decided to stay in the pub.

The rules of the annual Shaldon fancy dress extravaganza meant the runners, or shufflers in most cases, had to call in to six watering holes and down at least half a pint of beer, or a soft drink.

Several enjoyed a second slurp, and not all finished the course around the village.

More than 300 enjoyed the fun on Boxing Day in colourful, and some skimpy, costumes. The outfits were as diverse as the contestants, including superheroes, panto dames, astronauts, Bill and Ben, Toy Story and Teletubbies.

Characters from film and television were represented with Borat in Mankini, Shaldon of the Dead, Shaldon St Trinians, Rabbis on the Run, and More Pirates than in the Caribbean.

Local topics were also covered, such as the Merry Ferrymen, Help for Heroes, Elf and Safety, and the Prime Ministers of Bishopsteignton.

Other notable efforts included at least two Elvis impersonators, two policewomen, Jedward, the 118 runners, and an 11-person Chinese Dragon.

'The quality and imagination of the costumes shows the incredible efforts that the participants put into the event,' said one of the organisers.

Starting from the village green, the pairs visited the Clifford Arms, the Shaldon Conservative Club, the Standard, the Ness House Hotel, the Ferry Boat Inn and the London Inn finishing line.

The winners were: fancy dress – Inverteign Dragon. Runners-up – Baloonatics (Pauline, Zoe and Ella Constantine and Russ Hares); Merry Ferrymen (Steve Shelter, Ian Gregory, Tony Axam, Allen Newton and Rob Shelter).

Under-16s – Christmas Rejects; Bill & Ben and Blast from the Past.

Faster runners; over 16 trophy winners – Sam Butcher and Fred Barton; Matt Pile and Tom Case; Ella Neary and Sarah Langworthy.

The organisers want to thank all the licensees, Bradleys estate agents for raffle prizes, and Cllr Chris Clarance for acting as MC.

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