Bed race's brave competitors find themselves in deep water

A RECORD number of competitors dressed as astronauts, chimney sweeps and jockeys when they took part in one of the country's quirkiest races to push beds around a Yorkshire market town at the weekend.

Crowds of up to 20,000 spectators watched the 45th annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race on Saturday when 91 teams – five more than last year – competed to secure the fastest time around the 1.8-mile course, which includes having to swim across the River Nidd.

Organisers from the Knaresborough Lions hope to have raised more than 80,000 for local causes and charities, including St Michael's Hospice in Harrogate and the Candlelighters organisation in Leeds.

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The Ripon Runners, who triumphed in 2008, were crowned the fastest team with a time of 13 minutes and 56 seconds.

Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones was due to compete in one of the teams but had to pull out with an injury although he still turned up to watch the race.

Meanwhile, polo teams from across the country descended on East Yorkshire for a tournament which was held at North Cliffe, near Market Weighton, at the weekend. The teams were competing for The Summit Cup, which is the White Rose Polo Club's most-sought after trophy.