Shoppers watched in amusement as crazily-dressed men and women raced along Long Causeway, in the city centre, on Saturday, pushing a hospital bed carrying a patient.

Among the wackily dressed teams entering the Paul Simpson Bed Push were Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a troop of Elvis impersonators and a gang of policemen dressed in '70s retro gear.

Organisers believe the 27 teams have raised more than £12,500 for the Sue Ryder Care hospice at Thorpe Hall, Longthorpe, beating last year's effort of £10,000.

Prizes were also given out to the fastest, best dressed and highest- earning teams raising funds for the hospice, which needs £1 million a year to keep its doors open.

The race has been dedicated to city man Paul Simpson, who helped organise the inaugural race last year and died at the hospice in January, aged 52.

Thorpe Hall fund-raiser Jackie Page said: "We only had 12 teams last year, but people have really got behind the race and we are delighted so many teams entered this year.

"There was a lot of fun and laughter – it was also quite competitive.

"I'm sure Paul would have loved to see the event doing so well – he would have been very proud.

"Even when he was a patient at the hospice, he wanted to help and make sure the bed push was a success."