THE return of an annual charity barrel race, which was postponed for two years due to Covid, has been hailed a success after a large turnout came along to support the event.

Helen Cradock, manager of Stocksfield pub The Feathers Inn, is celebrating the success of the much-loved Easter Monday Hedley barrel race and beer festival returning to the pub after being put on pause due to the pandemic.

The event was put on to raise money for North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and marked the last day of the Feathers Inn Easter Beer and Food Festival, which began on Wednesday, April 13 with a culinary quiz.

It saw 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.

READ MORE: Annual Easter Monday event to return

"It was wonderful to be able to bring the Hedley barrel race back to the community," Helen said.

"Everybody has really missed the event as it brings everybody together. It’s a really family friendly day that everybody enjoys, whether they come and watch or they take part.

"It’s very strange to have not had the race for two years as it’s a real benchmark in our year and our community's year.

"All the teams who took part did absolutely brilliantly as it is a real challenge to do the race so it’s great there are so many people who want to put themselves through that grueling challenge.   

The Hedley Barrel Race, a decades-old tradition in the village, has been used to help raise money for North of Tyne Mountain Rescue in previous years.

Helen said: "We love being able to raise awareness and money for the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue as they are a brilliant team of volunteers who give a lot of their time to help people when they need it.

"On the day, we had Bill Grainger from North of Tyne Mountain Rescue, who presented the winners with their awards."

Currently, it is unknown how much the event has raised as the organisers are totaling the amount raised.