Otter wins it by a nose in Brighton mascot derby (From The Argus)

Otter wins it by a nose in Brighton mascot derby

12:00pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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An unusual line-up took to the track at a racecourse yesterrday.

A shark, a koala bear and a house were among the contestants in the Mascot Derby held at Brighton Racecourse.

The annual charity fundraiser is a popular crowd-pleaser.

Held alongside a day of horseracing with extra fun and games laid on, the race is a chance for mascots from across the south to pit themselves against each other in a show of speed.

First past the post in the 100-yard race was Southern Water's mascot Ollie the Otter.

Ollie, better known as Southern Water operative Simon Judd, claimed a £1,000 prize for the company's chosen charity.

The win is the latest success for Ollie, who last month romped home first in a mascot race at Plumpton Racecourse.

As well as the horse and mascot racing, visitors enjoyed fairground rides, a climbing wall and go karts.

Children even had a chance to try their own hand at being a jockey with pony rides that were on offer.