PANTOMIME horses were put through their paces in a South Lakeland market town at the weekend as those taking part had a galloping good time.

Three races were staged through Ulverston town centre on Saturday in an event that was once part of the town's comedy festival, cancelled last year because of a lack of helpers.

Town centre manager Jayne Kendall said the event attracted quite a lot of people.

"I even had four Burnley men, who were coming to Ulverston for the weekend, ring me to ask if they could take part. They said they saw the event organised on the town's website. They ended up racing a number of the horses," she said.

Mrs Kendall said if funding could be secured and more helpers came forward, the whole comedy festival could be revived.

The pantomime horses are to appear in another race on Sunday, May 25, at Ford Park in Ulverston, but this time the main feature will be Shetland ponies. The races start at 2pm and continue until 3.30pm.

It is the second time the event, organised by the Hearts of Oak Trust, has gone ahead in the town. All the proceeds from the day will go towards the cost of restoring the Hearts of Oak boat. The vessel was the last one ever to be built in Ulverston in 1912. The trust needs to raise £60,000 to return it to its former glory.

May 23, 2003 09:30