There was dancing on the street in Kington for the 50th anniversary of the wheelbarrow race

On the Buses, Steptoe and Son and the Dukes of Hazzard made a welcome return to Kington to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic wheelbarrow race in style.

And the whole town, it seemed was in a party mood, as dancing broke out on high street after the race.

Richard and Martin Bullock as Steptoe and Son – who won the Hedley Simcock Award. | Andy Compton

placeholder image — Richard and Martin Bullock as Steptoe and Son – who won the Hedley Simcock Award. | Andy Compton

Other entries also included Monty Python, Dad's Army, Rainbow, Blame it on the Boozy and Open All Hours.

Jemima Verney and Clover Bailey came third in the ladies race. | Andy Compton

One special competitor was Cecil Taylor who celebrated his 90th birthday by completing the race for the first time ever surrounded by his family and friends.

Jordan McQueen and Ed Bullock were the winners of the men's race. | Andy Compton

Brothers Martin and Richard Bullock who dressed as Steptoe and Son had competed in every race since it began, while Dave James and Geoff Cooper dressed as Dukes of Hazzard, also clocked up 25 years of taking part.

The band Guilty as Charged kept the party going during the race. | Andy Compton

The instigators of the race, David Joyce and Allan Lloyd, were also there to witness the special anniversary and Harvey Jones was videoing the event as he has done for most of the 50 years.

90 year-old Cecil Taylor celebrated his big birthday by taking part in the wheelbarrow race for the first time ever. | Andy Compton

Hundreds of spectators lined the high street to catch a glimpse of the racers and the fancy dressed entries as they made their way around 10 pub stops for a half a pint.

The Cast of the Summer Wine including a coffin for the dearly departed Compo. | Andy Compton.

At the end of the race, the party promptly started with spectators and competitors dancing in high street as Guilty as Charged played popular songs.

The Turner family and friends with their Monty Python Spanish Inquisition wheelbarrow. | Andy Compton.

The organisers then announced the results and presented the prizes to the winners to cheers from the crowds as colourful confetti sprayed from a canon.

The 118 competitors enjoying the race. | Andy Compton

Overall there was 28 entries with some teams having six or more individuals in some teams.

Dave, Molly and Geoff were the Dukes of Hazzard. | Andy Compton

Local celebrity John Hussey was back by popular demand on the microphone, providing his inimitable commentary and he was joined by Matthew Hall, who added some additional entertainment.

Caroline Allen, part of the Rainbow team, which also included her husband and post master Tim Allen and Councillor Rae Morgan. | Andy Compton.

Guilty as Charged provided music before and after the race.

The Toy Story competitors. | Andy Compton

M&S pizzas served their pizzas from Cloud 9 car park and Kington puppets newlyweds Harry and Aggy made a special appearance leading the parade of entries.

Local firefighters conducted a blanket collection during the evening in support of the festival.

Some of the racers in the men's competition. | Andy Compton

In the men's race Ed Bullock and Jordan McQueen were first in 8 minutes and 17 seconds, with Ben Moreton and Keiran Harris in second place and Llyr and Stefan Raw-Rees in third place.

John Hussey and Matthew Hall gave a funny commentary throughout the wheelbarrow race. | Andy Compton.

In the men's fancy dress race Steptoe and Son came first, with KBS and On the Buses in second place and Cecil and his 90th birthday chariot in third place.

Ed Bullock and Jordan McQueen in action. | Andy Compton.

In the ladies fastest race Jemima Verney and Clover Bailey were third, Emma Broad and Maddie Buchanan were second and Emily Price and Lucy Baker were first in11 minutes & 39 seconds.

Emma Broad and Maddie Buchanan came second in the ladies race. | Andy Compton.

The mixed fancy dress winners were Dave and Molly James and Geoff Cooper as the Dukes of Hazzard, Blame it on the Boozy were second and the Cast of the Summer Wine were in third place.

People dancing in the street at the end of the wheelbarrow race. Andy Compton | Andy Compton

The Hedley Simcock award for the most entertaining entry was won by Martin and Richard Bullock as Steptoe and Son.

Cecil enjoying his 90th birthday with family and friends. | Andy Compton.

Chairman of Kington Festival Emma Hancocks said: “What a fantastic evening! Thank you to everyone who took part; there were some outstanding entrants this year and you could see a lot of work had gone into decorating the barrows.

“I know Tim and Matt Hall had a very difficult job judging the entrants.

“A massive thank you to everyone that helped make the evening a success - we wouldn’t be able to do it without you. John Hussey and Matt Hall proved to be the fantastic duo that we didn’t know we had.

“To think John compared on the very first race and is still on the mic 50 years later is very impressive!

“Guilty as Charged - well what can we say! You were amazing and it was so lovely to see everyone dancing in the street and celebrating as a community.

“Thank you to all spectators who come along & cheered on every barrow - the streets were lined and everyone was in great spirits. Thank you as always to our publicans who very kindly donate the beer for the participants. Thank you to our Festival Attendees Ethan and Emilia who helped push Harry and Aggie at the beginning of the race and had the important job of giving out the prizes.

“Thank you to our fire brigade for doing the blanket collection - they always turn up and help us out as much as possible. Lastly, thank you to our sponsors: KBS, Arrowplant & Tool Hire, The Swan Hotel & The Burton Hotel because without you we wouldn’t be able to put on this event. See you all next year!”