IT was a sight to rival views of the Grand Prix in Monaco on Sunday as crowds turned out in Watchet to watch the annual wheelbarrow race along the Esplanade.

Somerset County Gazette:

TEAMS make their way around the 800m course.

A total of 24 teams qualified overall for a racing grid position and a whopping 500 spectators lined the 800m course around the streets cheering on their champions.

Mark Bale, one of the organisers said: “It was a really good day and we were overwhelmed with how many people turned out to watch.

“This was the 20th year we’ve done it and the crowd gets bigger each year.

“It’s a great afternoon and just a bit of harmless fun but everyone really enjoys it and now many of the pubs hold pre and post race parties which brings the town to life.

“We always tell people to get out and practise walking the route beforehand.”

The next Watchet Carnival event will be a ‘Posh Tea’ on June 14 at the Phoenix Centre in Watchet.

Results from this year's race:

Fastest male teams:

1st: Luke and Sam Coulson – ‘Catch The Pigeon’ 6mins and 11 secs

Somerset County Gazette:

CARNIVAL Queen Sophie Elston hands out the prizes to the winners Luke and Sam Coulson.

2nd: Jack Coulson and Tyler Maher – ‘Back to the Pub’ 7mins and 32secs

3rd: Oliver Waterman and Dan Mossman – ‘Breaking Watchet’ 9mins and 08secs

Fastest female teams:

1st: Harriet Gibbard and Nicky Stevens – ‘World Cup wags’ 9mins and 50secs

2nd: Amy Bliss and Kate Champion – ‘Two Broke Girls’ 10mins 35secs

Fastest mix team:

1st: Ian Marsdon and Karen Bennett – ‘Gordon Bennett Who’s He’ 22mins 04secs

Best fancy dress awards/custom barrow:

1st: Morning Glory

2nd: Team Squatting Mallard

3rd: Leader of the Pack

Somerset County Gazette:

STEVEN Waygood and James Abbott-Garner stand to attention with their team ‘Squatting Mallard’.

All photos Somerset Photo News.