Egremont Young Farmers Festive Tractor Run 'a huge success'

Spectators were mesmerized as the convoy of bright tractors passed through Egremont and the surrounding areas on Sunday evening.

The Egremont Young Farmers Festive Tractor Run has raised more than £1,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and Dementia UK, with young farmers from as far as Penrith and Gosforth taking part.

Judges John Garnett (Cumbria Young Farmers Club president) and Steven Park (Cumbria southern district vice president) chose a John Deere tractor decorated by Richard Bell of Cockermouth as the winner.

Richard Bell of Cockermouth with the winning tractor (Image: Submitted)

Young farmers then set off on the two and a half hour route, which passed through Egremont, Beckermet, Wilton, Cleator, Cleator Moor, Keekle, Hensingham and St Bees.

Rob Beaty, chairman of Egremont Young Farmers, who organised this year’s parade, said: “It was a huge success. It was a lot bigger than we thought it would have been. The judges had a hard job.

The festive tractor run has been hailed a 'huge success' despite the rain (Image: Submitted)

“The number of people on the streets was amazing, considering we had the rain. It absolutely poured down and the people still coming out to see it was incredible.

“Even later on, we were going through St Bees at 9pm and people were coming out of the pubs.”

61 tractors were entered for this year's event (Image: Submitted)

A tractor run was originally held in Egremont during the Crab Fair weekend but due to poor turnout organisers decided to move the event to Christmas.

Jack Jenkinson, former chairman of Egremont Young Farmers, started the festive parade two years ago, when 30 tractors were entered. It has since grown in popularity with 61 tractors entered this year.

To donate, go to: www.justgiving.com/team/Egremontyoungfarmers