Pagham Pram Race attracts unusual visitors

The Loony Legion swept all before them to win the fancy dress prize at the MMXI Pagham Pram Race.

The nine-strong troupe of centurions and a standard bearer clinched first place in the Boxing Day tradition with their bright red costumes with helmets and plumage and silver metal breastplates.

Their success was a much-savoured triumph for Graham Donaldson, Mark Hullett, Neil Haggar, James Littlechild, Lee Summers, Simon Morris, Dominic Croxford, Joel Hammond and Heather Lisle. Jean the horse also played an important part in the win which was completed by a chariot.

Mark said: “We became Romans because we couldn’t decide what else to be when we were in a pub having a drink.

“We’ve come second twice and third once when we were Only Fools and Horse and the Dukes of Hazzard so it feels awesome to win.

“We’ve got a real rivalry going with one of the other groups. We gave them £40 last year for some drinks when they beat us.

“This year, they’ve given us some money as we beat them and we’ll definitely be back next year to defend our title.”

For a full report on the race and a picture special see this week’s Bognor Regis Observer, out now.