IT was not exactly a photo finish.

But the participants in the Snail Derby Trials, at Thirsk Racecourse, North Yorkshire, still gave punters a run for their money.

The trials were part of the launch of the Herriot Happenings, a series of events at several visitor attractions from this Saturday to Sunday, June 9.

The races were held before the start of the main races, and the six events attracted several backers.

A spokesman said: "Although we did not beat the world record of a snail covering 33cms in three minutes, 22 seconds, we are hopeful of doing this at the race proper to take place at the UK Falconry Centre on Friday, June 7."

The trial winners will go forward to the June 7 final.

This is how the snails performed:

Northallerton Town Nursery Race, trainer Malcolm Watson, of Yorkshire Explorer; the Bedale Gateway to the Dales Sprint, Bob Anderton, of York; Thirsk Racecourse Snail Derby, horse trainer Mark Johnston, of Thirsk; the Great Ayton Listed Stakes, Buccaneer Services, Sandhutton; Easingwold Maiden Stakes, Carlton Furniture, Thirsk; Herriot Country Attractions Group handicap, Yorkshire Tourist Board, York