CHRISTMAS crackers were used as batons in a festive relay race staged for charity by Cheshire Dragons.

The running club's annual Christmas fundraiser on behalf of Young Minds was held at Cuddington Playing Fields.

Tom Edwards and Louisa Thompson proved to be victorious, with Dave Gough and Tommy Armstrong placing second.

Pairs are drawn on the day after each runner is seeded based on 5k time.

Laps of the field are run between the pair continuously for 25 minutes, passing a Christmas cracker as a baton.

Teams can divide the 25 minutes how they like as long as the baton is constantly moving around the lap by one or other of the pair.

Together with the fundraising efforts of local runner Danny Young throughout the year, £471 was raised for a charity which ensures young people are supported with their mental health and further donations will be accepted at the charity's JustGiving page.

For anyone wanting to become more involved with Cheshire Dragons, contact chairman Bernie Jones at Bernie-jones@sky.com for more details.