Pram race runners primed for Boxing Day run

Costumes last year included characters from Mary Poppins

The seventieth Pagham Pram Race takes place in Sussex on Boxing Day. The organisers say it is the world's oldest continuously run event of its kind.

The 2014 race saw 60 entrants in fancy dress take part - pushing each other around the course. They raised £9,000 for local charities.

Participants from last year's race Credit: Pagham Pram Race

The race began in 1946 when a group of demobbed servicemen decided to race in pairs, with one pushing a pram carrying the other person.

The challenge they set was to drink a pint at all the village pubs and the prize was a Christmas fruit cake made by local ladies.

This year's pram race prize is a cake from the members of the Bognor Regis branch of the Sugarcraft Guild. The winners will receive a slice each, and the rest will be sold at £1 a slice, with the proceeds going to charity.

Pram racers with a gift

The three-mile route starts on Pagham Road at 11am on Boxing Day, and ends in the Lamb car park. The organisers are expecting crowds of people to turn up to cheer along the racers.