Fun-loving Gary Smith should have been at the heart of this year's fun day at a Cottingley pub.

It was his idea to launch a wheelbarrow race two years ago as part of the event at the Sun Inn when he and two friends dressed up as the Cottingley Fairies, resplendent with pink wings and bows in their hair.

But, tragically, the 27-year-old from Cottingley was killed in a motorcycle accident in Bradford in June leaving behind his partner Michelle and their two children, eight-year-old Abbey and three-year-old Alexander.

So this year, in his memory, the wheelbarrow race trophy will be named "The Giggsy Shield" after his nickname.

And his younger brother Carl will take his place in Bank Holiday Monday's race accompanied by three of Gary's closest friends Andy Sumner, David Myers and Phil.

Proceeds from the race will go to the T&A-backed Millennium Scanner Appeal.

Mr Sumner said: "Gary was the backbone of it all. It was his idea. We were going to do it with prams but there weren't so many around so it was wheelbarrows. Our team won it both years and he was really pleased.

"We start with a drink at the Sun Inn and then teams set off at intervals and go to the Hare & Hounds about a mile and a half up hill. Before they go back down to the Sun Inn they have to drink a pint. Going back down is the most difficult part.

"There's quite a few more teams entered this year including the Sun Inn football team. We get a real buzz out of it and of course we will be trying to win it for Gary."

Gary's mum Pauline Priestley of Rycroft Road, Cottingley, said: "I still can't believe what has happened. I keep expecting him to walk through the door.

"It was June 19 and he was going to pick a friend up and go to the Lake District when the accident happened in Broad Lane, Bradford.

"I can't understand it. He was very experienced and was one of the safest riders around."

She added: "I can't bring myself to go to the race though I know I should but I have not been to the Sun Inn since the accident. Carl is doing it in memory of Gary - it's something he really wanted to do for him.

"Gary was so well-liked and popular and Bingley cemetery was overflowing with mourners when it was his funeral. He only had a short life but he did a lot with it.

"He had such a lot of energy and was into all sorts of things, he was always on the go. You always knew when Gary was around.

"He and Michelle had just bought a house in Manor Road and he was busy decorating it as well as running his own electronics business Maxim."

lThe wheelbarrow race, which is over about three miles, begins at 1pm from the Sun Inn.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.