A MUCH-LOVED race held every Easter Monday will return to a Northumberland village next month.

Covid-19 had forced the cancellation of the Hedley Barrel Race, a decades-old tradition in the village, for the past two years.

The event sees teams of three race for a mile and up a steep hill while carrying an empty beer barrel to the finish line at the Feathers Inn pub.

Helen Craddock, manager at the Feathers Inn, said: "It's great to be able to do the race again this year. It is a real highlight of the year.

"The event raises lots of money for North of Tyne Mountain Rescue, and it is a tremendous amount of fun to take part in and to watch.

"We hope with the event being outdoors people will feel safe to join in the celebrations once more."

The barrel race marks the last day of the Feathers Inn Easter Beer and Food Festival, which begins on Wednesday, April 13 with a culinary quiz.

Other events taking place include BBQs, an Easter Hunt, a Makers Market, and Egg Jarping.

The Village Makers Market will take place on the Saturday (April 16) from 12pm until 3pm.

The Egg Jarping tournament, which involves tapping an egg against an opponent's egg to see who cracks first, will take place after the barrel race.

The Feathers Inn are finalists at this year's North East Tourism Awards in the categories of Taste of North East East England and Pub of the Year.

For more details on the events taking place during the festival, visit http://thefeathers.net/