Rain which hit Oxenhope Straw Race for the first time in the event's 25-year history failed to put a dampener on the charity blockbuster. Just under 200 teams - about on a par with last year - took part in Sunday's race, and crowds lined the route.

Spokesman Adrian Bebb says: "I think the appalling weather did deter some teams from entering, but it was still a hugely successful and enjoyable day. The teams battled through the rain and saw it as more of a challenge. There was a great spirit. Also some of the fancy dress costumes were brilliant - the best I have seen."

The annual race - in which entrants carry bales of straw around a gruelling three-mile course, downing drinks at pubs en route - has raised nearly £200,000 for charity since its launch. This year's total will not be known until all sponsorship money has been collected, and the race committee urges all teams to gather and submit their proceeds as quickly as possible.

Competitors this time included co-founders Jeff Moore - the current chairman - and Andy Slater, who came out of race retirement to take part. Although they were not among the race leaders, they were highly commended in the fancy dress category.

For the first time in the event's history a women's team - Sarah Rowell and Anne Buckley, from Leeds - was the overall winner, in a time of 17 minutes 30 seconds.

The first male athletes home were Shane Green and Robin Lawrence, also from Leeds, in 17 minutes 32 seconds.

Results, for non-athletes,: men - 1 Andy Shel-bourne and Mark Sunman (22 mins 26 secs), 2 Rob Thackery and Phil Hinchcliff (22 mins 40 secs), 3 Alas-tair McDowell and Richard Hirst (23 mins 52 secs).

Women - 1 Celia de Maria and Claire Hood (22 mins 24 secs), 2 Claire Schofield and Cathy Hayes (31 mins 25 secs), 3 Sophie Illingworth and Rachel Firth (31 mins 50 secs).

Mixed - 1 Siggy Gould and Ruth Schofield (19 mins 20 secs), 2 Julie and Robert Haworth (22 mins), 3 Steven Sanderson and Ruth Wood (22 mins 35 secs).

Veterans: men - Paul Feather and Andrew Burrow (23 mins 32 secs); women - Jean Sanderson and Pauline Oldfield (22 mins 30 secs).

Local Heroes: men - Robin Wright and Roger McDowell (24 mins 30 secs); women - Rebecca and Lavinia Holmes (32 mins 12 secs); mixed - Keith and Nicola Binns (25 mins 16 secs).

Fancy dress: men - Adam Bentham and David Bennison (as Ground Force, Charlie and Alan); women - Jacky Clarkson and Janet Gerdes (as Phantom); mixed - Ian and Helen Ferguson (as 70s flower people); combined effort - Simon Archer, A Brown, Matt Catlow, John Priestley, David Boulder and Mick Nichols (as Mountaineers); overall - Tim Ackroyd and Andy Nicoll (as Party Poopers/Toilets).