MP Julia Drown organised a wacky race at Westminster to hammer home the importance of slashing Third World debt.

The Labour MP for South Swindon persuaded 20 MPs to stagger with enormous sacks to illustrate the problems faced by developing countries. It was only when former Olympic athlete Steve Cram cut the MPs loose from their sacks they could cross the finish line.

The aim of the stunt was to urge the Government not break its promise to halve the debts of the world's poorest countries by 2015.

Ms Drown said: "The sacks symbolised the unbearable debts that developing countries have to pay."

She organised the race in partnership with the Jubilee Debt Campaign and the World Development Movement.