AS always, the Ropley Pram Race, incredibly in its 53rd year, was a fun occasion.

But for a moment the laughter and the cheering stopped as the contestants and the 300-strong crowd who came to watch stood for a minute’s silence on Bank Holiday Monday in memory of those who lost their lives in the Manchester bombing tragedy.

This year, there were 47 entrants and a welcome return of the NEWTS, a small group of young-at-heart Ropley men who take the word “pram” to the most extreme limits in order to entertain.

This year was no exception and with a highly topical take on the British Airways saga, their “pram” consisted of a BA tow truck pulling a flight of boarding stairs and a luggage trolley which earned much amusement and applause from the spectators.

This year the judge was ‘Navy Bear’ on a special visit from Help for Heroes who started the 2.8-mile run around the village, with the first pair returning in just over 15 minutes, to the cheers of the watching crowd.

After all the contestants arrived back safely, a mini-fete sprang into action plus a combination of local and visiting stallholders, including the ever-popular Punch and Judy show.

There was also a well -supported fun dog show, and prizes were presented by Hero Bear, but at 1pm the stalls were cleared to make way for a cricket match between a Ropley side and a visiting Help for Heroes team.

Pram race results:

Best decorated pram: 1 Darcy Wynne & Sophia Lane, 2 Elena & Colin Richardson, 3 Hattie Lloyd & Isobel Jordan, 4 William Terry & Max Anderson.

Race for allcomers: 1 Jack Newman & Sam Blackwell, 2 Hayden & Rohan Gray, 3 Dan Sheehan & Simon Hewitt.

Veterans over 50: 1 Gordon Dennis & Peter Terry.

Veterans over 35: 1 Zak & Rachel Walker.

All ladies: 1 Lucy Bridgewater & Laura Brown.

Under-16 mixed: 1 Issy Terry & Ben Anderson.

Under-16 girls: 1 Alice Ramsayer & Amelia Bruce.

Under-16 boys: 1 Jack Newman & Sam Blackwell.

Under-13: Hayden & Rohan Gray.

Under-10: Amy & Lucy Clinch.