Children coin it in as they turn out to continue a piece of local history

For 200 years youngsters and their parents in Driffield have observed the custom of standing outside shops, asking for money and sweets, which traders throw out to them.

The strange piece of local history nearly died out at one stage leading to renewed appeals this year to support Saturday's event.

Town mayor Coun Steve Poessl said: "This is a fantastic tradition, which we believe is unique to Driffield, and it is vital we keep it going."

The town council has been leading the revival of what had been a New Year's Day custom, which went into decline when January 1 became a public holiday and the shops stayed shut.

But town councillors whipped up support for a date-adjusted event saying it was unthinkable Driffield could lose such a unique piece of history.

Another reason for the decline was greater spending on children's presents these days. But supporters say the event is really about having fun and getting outdoors.

In bygone days, scrambling was rowdier as gangs fought over the pickings but it is now closely supervised by councillors, police and parents to ensure things do not get out of hand.