A QUIET village pub was transformed into a motor track for wannabe racing drivers at the weekend.

The Black Swan Inn, at Thornton-le-Moor, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was the scene of a 24-hour Scalextric race organised to raise cash for the Butterwick Hospice.

The event was the idea of a group of friends, who one night started reminiscing about their favourite childhood toys.

Fond memories of Scalextric caused the 12, all in their late teens and early 20s, to organise the marathon, which started at 7pm on Sunday.

Lee Huck, who had only 40 minutes' sleep overnight, said 110 metres of track had been laid in the pub's restaurant.

He said: "It all started with a stupid idea down the pub and a few months later, here we are.

"Nearly all the equipment has been begged and borrowed from people digging out old sets from lofts and so on.

"We've four teams of three competing and I think we'll all celebrate by going straight to bed."

The event has raised more than £500 for the hospice, in Stockton. To contribute, call 07973 725207.