THE country traditions of the Lowland Games continued in good fashion on Sunday as hundreds entered into the spirit of the Somerset event.

The five days of fun and games in Thorney, near Muchelney, Langport, originally started as a raft race along the River Parrett, but has grown to feature a variety of weird and wonderful events.

EXTRA TERRESTRIAL: Alien Invasion, led by Philipa Vaux of South Petherton, proved out of this world with their home-made raft
GIRL POWER: Fool's Afloat was created by teenagers, aged 13-17, from the Martock area and led by Laura Cobden, 15, centre
EXPERIENCED CREW: Members of Yeovil Young Farmers are regulars
FRUITY FUN: Bananas in Pyjamas was made by eight women from the Langport area. Jo Turner, of Bowdens, said: "It is good country fun"
TEAM WORK: Father and son Alan and Thomas Bird, of Street, built their raft The Floating Bird's Nest the day before the event
NAME TROUBLES: Muthasa's Arc was supposed to be a dedication to Lion King character Mufasa, but its creators spelt the name wrong
DRINKING INFLUENCE: The Cider Sled was made up of men from the Martock and Yeovil area. Ricky Bowers, of Martock, front left, said: "It was a drunken idea we had and it only took us three or four hours to build. It's our first time at entering, but it's all good fun"
STEADY DOES IT: An aircraft engineer from RNAS Yeovilton takes part in the slippery log initiative at the start of the raft race
COUNTRY FUN: Crowds enjoy the Lowland Games on Sunday
BEST DRESSED: Aircraft engineers from RNAS Yeovilton took to the water in their raft Loki, named after the Norse God of mischief. Rob Bullock and co were confident in their building ability and were crowned fancy dress winners for the event
BURNING AMBITION: My Vest's Tight was made up of firefighters from Yeovil Fire Station who are joined here by some of their children. Jake Richards and co competed in the event between working night shifts and were doused by their colleagues as they set off up the river. Mr Richards said: "This is our second year and our raft fell apart last year, with one bit finishing third and the other bit sinking. The lowland Games is a well-organised family event and we enjoy it"

This year's race saw families build their vessels out of oil drums and polystyrene. Teams included firefighters from Yeovil Fire Station and aircraft engineers from RNAS Yeovilton.

Among the new activities this year was wife carrying, in which contestants had to sling their spouses over their shoulders and race to the finish line.

There was also hay-bale racing, river It's a Knock Out, tug-of-war and the popular mud wrestling competition.

Lowland Games committee chairman Andy Wakely said: "It was fantastic. I think it was the best one we have had for a while. There was a really good atmosphere and the new wife carrying event went down really well.

"We ran out of beer at one stage and were scraping around Somerset trying to find some more. We had a good couple of thousand people and I think we can even expand on it next year."

The event raises money for charity, with representatives from various groups running stalls and stands.

On Wednesday, Mid Somerset Riding Club hosted terrier racing and dog agility, while a 10k fun run took place across the levels.

On Thursday, a barn dance was held to raise money for St Margaret's Somerset Hospice and Langport Young Farmers Club celebrated their 75th anniversary with various competitions.

Live music on Saturday was provided by local band Storm and Blue Bullet ahead of the main event on Sunday.

Raft race team My Vest's Tight was made up of Yeovil firefighters.

Team member Jake Richards said: "This is our second year and our raft fell apart last year, with one bit finishing third and the other bit sinking. The Lowland Games is a well organised family event and we enjoy it."

Ricky Bowers, of Martock, competed in The Cider Sled raft. He said: "It was a drunken idea we had and it only took us three or four hours to build. It's our first time at entering, but it's all good fun."