More than 40 teams braved the bad weather to take part in the wacky annual lawnmower race at Brinsbury College, near Pulborough.

A last-minute entry stole glory from under the noses of almost all the teams running highly-tuned race prepared machines at the 12-hour lawnmower race on Saturday .

Forty-one teams lined up for the start at 8pm and after a gruelling 12 hours of roller-to-roller racing at speeds of up to 40mph, a Sussex team called It's A Deere Old Thing snatched second place. Overall winner was a group from Luxembourg.

Race spokesman Mark Constanduros said: "It's A Deere Old Thing, racing with an old John Deere tractor mower, decided to enter at the last minute.

"They turned up late for scrutineering, had just a couple of practice laps and then promptly snatched second place.

"It was an amazing achievement and although they did not win I am sure they will receive a special trophy."

Heavy rain turned the charitable event - set up to give motorsport enthusiasts a cheap form of racing - into a mudbath, with many of the faster teams with sit-on "bonneted" mowers being given a run for their money.

The race was first run in 1978 when Grand Prix legend Sir Stirling Moss won with Le Mans hero Derek Warwick.

Mr Constanduros said: "The rain made for some thrilling racing. Everyone finished and had great fun doing so."

The race raised money for the college's Rural Skills Department for students with special needs.