CROWDS lined the streets to watch teams in fancy dress “race” around Whitchurch’s pubs in a charity competition.

Thirty-one teams made a big effort to take part in the pub race, which started at the Kings Arms where participants gathered, attached to their team-mates by rope.

Some were focused on completing the course in a speedy time, while others leisurely strolled along the route, entertaining the crowds along the way.

One group dressed as workmen stopped traffic as they took time out from the race to carry out some fake repairs to the roads.

Another team of men dressed as Cheryl Cole had passers-by in fits of laughter with their ‘Fight for this Love’ routine, which they performed while walking along the road.

Teams including Mr Men, babies, vicars, Deal or No Deal boxes and Power Rangers stopped at seven watering holes where they downed a glass of beer outside before moving on to the next.

A special bar was set up at the former Railway Inn in Station Road where the pub was knocked down several months ago.

John Buckley from Whitchurch, and a member of the Campaign for Real Ale, organised the beer station in memory of the lost pub.

He said: “We have lost a community pub and although it’s not there anymore it’s officially still a pub site because there’s no planning permission to change it yet.”

The course took teams from the Kings Arms to the The Bell Inn, The Railway Inn site, Prince Regent, Sports and Social Club and Harvest Home before finishing at the White Hart where people gathered to cheer participants across the finishing line.

Awards were given to the fastest team called Wet, Wet, Wet - made up of three men in Baywatch costumes who completed the course in 37 minutes.

While the Top Team Effort award went to Girls R Lads – the group of men dressed as Cheryl Cole.

And the GI Janes were commended for raising the most money, contributing £449.50 to the £2,000 total.

The final award of the evening went to Eng-Lego for their giant Lego men outfits.

Clare Llewellyn, a member of the Little Miss Quick and Friends team stopped for a break at the Bell Inn – the second pub along the route.

The 25-year-old from Fairfields, Whitchurch said: “It’s brilliant and it’s really nice that all the community get together for something like this.”

Teams carried charity buckets to collect funds along the way for the Whitchurch Festival Committee, which organised the event.

Money will be used for other community events in the town throughout the year.

Festival Chairman Rob Dunlop said: “It was a really good event and the White Hart put on a fantastic finish. I was so surprised at the effort everyone put in and so many people were out supporting the teams and cheering them on.”