A BEER barrel race and grand auction raised money for the Tearfund Sudan Famine Relief fund in Horrabridge.

The event was held at the beginning of September by Horrabridge Villagers, with face painting, a beer tent and music. And two-man teams pushed barrels up a slope against a torrent of water.

Neil Woolcock, of Ward and Chowen, conducted the auction, selling more than 70 items from antiques, prints and pictures to a Saudi Arabian camel driver?s stick.

Face painting takings were £49, teas and the beer tent raised £312, the Cavaliers and Twinning Association donated £56 from their skittles match later that night, and the auction generated just over £1,000.

With further donations, the final day?s total was £1,533. Lunches and teas were held at the Rectory the following Saturday, raising more than £609 for the same appeal.