THE Ropley pram race is now in its 44th year and still going strong.

A near-record turnout of 63 entries blazed a trail around the village near Alresford yesterday.

Starting in 1965, the race is believed to be the longest-running pram race in the country.

Many teams wore fancy dress and others dressed up their pram, including an inflatable banana, a Rolls-Royce, a submarine, a space shuttle and notably a team called The Ropley Newts who entered three prams disguised as fully equipped hospital beds.

Organiser James Newman said: “It seems to get better and more popular than ever.”

The race last May had to be cancelled on the day because of torrential rain and held in July.

Proceeds from the event go to village organisations.