WINCHESTER residents honoured one of their best-known former characters yesterday with a series of pram races through a city park.

Around 30 racers - including Charley Ebdon, pictured - took part in the Ron Purse Memorial Pram Race in Abbey Gardens in honour of the popular local character who died last December.

Mr Purse, 71, Of Fivefields Road, Highcliffe, known as the Burping Man', was a familiar sight around the city, often pushing a pram filled with old toys or discarded items of clothing.

The pram race, organised by the Hat Fair, was the highlight of a series of events which included a 40ft art wall, a skate ramp, music workshops and a curry stall.

Keziah Hoffman, organiser, said: "It went really well. For a while we were desperately short of prams but we managed to collar some mums. We've had no budget but it's come together through magic and goodwill," she said.

Race winners were presented with a poster of Ron featuring some of his favourite sayings: "That's another worry off me brain' and It's all right for you human beings.'