TWO pubs clubbed together to host some Easter fun including an egg and spoon race for drag queens and kings.

The Bedford Tavern and The Grosvenor Bar, in Western Street, Brighton, hosted the event which started with a traditional Easter bonnet parade.

Participants had to create a fabulous festive hat to show off while parading down Western Street.

Following the millinery madness, a gaggle of drag queens and kings took to the street and ran races throughout the afternoon, including a traditional egg and spoon race.

Bets were placed throughout the day on the drag racers and prizes were given to winning bidders.

Organiser Adam Brooks, 45, of the Bedford Tavern, said: “It was an absolute epic day.

“We have been doing this once a year for ten years and this year was record breaking in terms of how many people took part and watched.

“I think it helped having the lovely weather.

“We have had snow, howling wind, rain and gales but this weekend we were lucky. Not that anything would stop us.”

Adam took over the pub about ten years ago and decided he wanted to bring some fundraising events to the table.

He started the drag racing to raise money for local charities.

This year’s race was the biggest yet.

Adam said: “At first we started off with about six runners, but this year we had 21 and about 400 people turned up to watch which is fantastic.

“All the betting money has gone to good causes.

“But we are indeed all very broken today.

“It was not the weather for tights and a full face of make-up.”

Fire fighter and first time racer Ella Phantitus was the overall winner of the drag race.

Adam said: “The hats were wonderful during the parade.

“The winner was this lovely lady who comes every single year with a hat.

“She is called Grace and she was celebrating her 87th birthday.

“We only ever see her at the annual race.”

The event was raising money for the Brighton Rainbow Fund, a charity that supports LGBT and HIV/Aids organisations in the city.

It was set up by James Ledward, editor of LGBT+ magazine Gscene, and Lib Dem city councillor Paul Elgood.

The 21 drag race competitors this year were: Selma Babies, known for her “epic fall” last year and the bookies favourite; Linda Bacardi, a “gorgeous girl of the cabaret scene”; Gloria Smackmuff whose determination “makes up for her lack of class”; Moira Muncher, “fierce”, and the only lesbian drag queen in the race; Emlyn Huge, a football-mad drag king; Baby Spice, known as the baby of the bunch; Ginger Spice, described as the feisty one; Posh Spice, “posh but cannot be under-estimated”; Sporty Spice, described as sporty, speedy and “surprisingly sexy”; Fireman Pam who, according to her description lacks in femininity but makes up for it with muscle; Sinead O’Monger, a firefighter and first time racer; Ella Phantitus, also a firefighter and first-time racer; Ely Zalot, an American drag king; Brandy Fluff, described as beautiful and fast and a first time racer; Paula Pint, the Brighton Tavern’s entry; Baby Jane, known as the dark horse; Anita Spritzer, often the front runner; Chercules, a manly mash-up of Cher and Hercules; Gina Garllic, the Grosvenor’s entry; Randy Smackmuff, son of regular drag runner Gloria; and Ivana Pump, known as “a triple D threat – determined, dangerous and desperate to win.