THOUSANDS of people lined the streets on Saturday to watch 50 teams compete in an annual charity bed race.

The race, organised by Knaresborough Lions, followed a mile-and-a-half course, which included having to cross the River Nidd during the final stages of the race.

This year was the 39th race and the theme was children's books. The decorated beds were judged by the mayor of Knaresborough, Councillor Pam Godsell, before parading through the town accompanied by marching bands and floats.

The race began at Conyngham Hall and was won by Harrogate Harriers. The winning ladies team was Squashed Hearts.

Knaresborough Lions president Alan Walgate said: "It was an excellent day. I think there were record crowds. There were a lot of people in town and a lot of people down in the field watching the start and the finish of the race.

"It is a good event for us, but also for the local community, as we pay the money back to groups in Knaresborough."

The Lions raised £7,000 for charity at last year's event and hoped to have raised at least that amount from Saturday.