A BLACK and white postcard of a tug-of-war team at Bridestowe from the turn of last century prompted response from Times readers.

Local historians, Mike and Hilary Wreford, sent in the photo of the team on horseback at the Fox and Hounds Hotel near Bridestowe, situated midway on the main A386 Okehampton and Tavistock road.

Mike told the Times: 'It certainly aroused some interest and discussion.'

Douglas Gale, a Bridestowe 'lad' and now retired and living in Launceston has a collection of some 100 postcards of the village.

He has the same postcard and has the names of all except one.

Douglas dates the photograph at about 1900, and it appears that this bare-back tug-of-war on Horseback was a popular and exciting event at the now defunt Lydford Agricultural Show.

Mike said: 'Cynthia feels that this photograph is about 100 years old, and her father is third from left.

The photograph also features, T Gow, B Medland, C Pearce and P Simmons.

He adds: The photograph and article have brought to light a Dartmoor sport which few people have any knowledge.