COWBOYS bolted on horseback and fled across the moor while a crew of purple pirates hijacked a desert island and made for Exeter Quay . . .

Crazy scenes to raise charity cash were two a penny in Princetown last weekend as doughty fundraisers set off on the 21st Dartmoor Jailbreak.

Classic Gold radio presenter Colin Slade released the escapees under the watchful eye of Dartmoor Jail?s deputy governor Tony Early.

Event organiser, Sue Gould, said: ?It was a fabulous start with so many imaginative disguises ranging from camels to dolls and cowboys on horseback.

?It has been the best year yet for beautiful weather, in the past we?ve even had snow!?

The event raises money for children with cerebral palsy at the Vranch House School and Centre in Exeter - teams can also break free for individual charities and proceeds are divided 50/50.

Teams this year included the Booze Boys, who hijacked a taxi from Castle Cabs and made it to Land?s End, collecting more than £1,000 in pubs along the way.

Ockit, Bodgit and Scarper were caught in Blackpool where they are currently awaiting eveiction by Lancashire Police and the SWEB Escape Committee raced off disguised as a camel and a donkey ? they are now basking in the sunny freedom of Palma.

The event proved to be a tremendous success with an estimated £18,000 raised for Vranch House and other charities.