BLEATING sheep, Batman and Robin and a Royal Navy warship all went head-to-head in a downhill go-kart race.

Thousands of spectators crammed into the village of Hoar Cross to watch 30 home-made karts hurtle between hay bales in the Downhill Race.

The annual event, now in its sixth year, was organised by a group of drinking buddies who aimed to raise more than £50,000 for charity.

Cheering crowds braved the elements to watch yesterday's race, won by The Paramedics, from Staffordshire, who finished in a record 50.33secs.

John Gallagher, one of the race organisers, said he hoped it would continue for many years.

He said: "One of the reasons the race brings in so many spectators is because it really captures the imagination.

"So much effort goes into these karts and people turn out just to see what creations have been thought up and put together. We hold it between Christmas and New Year so spirits are always up. The crowds weren't the biggest due to the weather and about 4,000 people watched this year."

The Downhill Race starts at the top of Abbotts Bromley Road, in Hoar Cross, and runs about half-a-mile to the finish line outside the Meynell Ingram Arms.

Along the way, the karts – which this year included an Egyptian pyramid driven by a camel – have to navigate between stacks of hay.

They then have to screech to a stop and ring a bell, with many of the teams hurtling past the finish line and slamming into hay bales.

Defending champion James Roddick, part of the Made In England team, had to recruit his brother Nick after his co-pilot was ruled out through injury four weeks ago.

The pair crossed the finish line in second place completing the race in 58.44secs – three seconds faster than their race-winning time last year.

James, of Alrewas, said: "Our target was to finish in under a minute and we've achieved that, which is amazing even though we didn't win.

"The secret to doing well in this race is hard work. We've spent weeks tweaking the kart and even been out here at six in the morning doing practice runs. That sounds like a mad thing to do but if you can do it in the dark, you can do it on the day. We'll try even harder next year and finish at the top."

Funds from this year's race, raised through food and drink, programme sales and donations, will be donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital.