PEOPLE from beyond Hatherleigh had their first chance in 110 years to pull the famous Hatherleigh tar barrels as part of the Ten Pub Pull last Saturday.

The pull saw the barrels pass through nine villages and stop at ten pubs to celebrate 110 years of Hatherleigh Carnival.

The pull is the longest route the tar barrel pullers have ever taken. In past years the tar barrel committee has pulled the barrels to Winkleigh, Iddesleigh, Sheepwash, Highampton, Folly Gate and Northlew to raise money to keep the tradition alive.

This year's pull also saw visits to two pubs in North Tawton, Exbourne, Bratton Clovelly, Halwill Junction, and Black Torrington.

The pull covered 45 miles, with barrels and pullers travelling by trailer and bus between villages and pulls. Villagers from each village had the chance to pull the barrels at each pub stop.

Committee member Eddie Edwards, who organised the event, said:'This was the first chance for the majority of people to see the tar barrels in their village or town. We had a good reception pretty much everywhere we went, and it was something else at Bratton Clovelly, there was loads of people there.

'The event was also a chance for us, for the first time, to extend offers to people outside Hatherleigh to join the barrel committee, but we ended up recruiting four new pullers in Hatherleigh!'

True to tradition, the tar barrels used in the pull are destined to be consumed by fire on Hatherleigh Carnival day on November 9. The ten pub pull helped to raise funds for the carnival, raising around £500 for the event.

The second set of barrels for the carnival will be made at the committee's other 2013 fundraiser, the Hatherleigh Carnival Island Park Party, starting at around 6.30pm this Saturday.

Entrance is free and a wide range of fun, games, refreshments and entertainment will be available. Visitors of all ages are welcome.