The competitive alcohol-free stage of the Pewsey Carnival four legged race was called off last night after no one signed up.

Instead, entrants chose to hold out for the following event where entrants follow the same course but are allowed to drink alcohol, but not race.

The four legged race, previously called the wine race, is the first of the village carnival’s three big events – with the wheelbarrow race and the procession taking place next week.

A total of 52 teams took part in the drink-allowed event, three down from last year, which sees teams of three, tied together at the ankle, dash around the village.

To comply with the Licensing Act 2003 that has taken time to come into place there was due to be a race for people wanting to enter competitively starting at 7.45pm with teams stopping off for non-alcoholic drinks en route.

The main event kicked off shortly after 8pm with teams parading in front of the crowd before a staggered start. Changes didn’t dampen spirits though with all entrants, including ginger ninjas, punks and the obligatory men dressed as women, having a merry time.

On route the teams stopped at the Football Club, The Cooper's Arms, The Moonrakers, Daisy's Kitchen, Thomsons and The Royal Oak where one a member of each team had to drink a glass of wine or, alternatively, a soft drink.

The Where’s Wally ladies, made up of Kinga Tarnai, Helena La Greseley and Nicky Black, were first to cross the finish line but with the event now not being able to call itself a race they could not be crowned the winners.

Ms Tarnai said: “My team has won for the last 15 years so it’s a shame that we can’t race properly.

“We all run three or four times a week and we play squash and I don’t really drink and this is a chance to get out and have some fun so it’s disappointing that that’s been taken away from us but we won’t let it spoil our night.

“The atmosphere is not the same as other years.”

Mrs La Greseley added: “We won’t let the fun police ruin our fun.”