ORGANISERS of the annual Beadlam Tractor Run have said they are delighted with the response to this year’s event.

The 15th annual Beadlam Tractor Run was held on Sunday with about 200 tractors from all over the country taking part to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The run was started in 2003 by Bernard Simpson, from Beadlam, and a team of helpers, with 35 tractors taking part to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

It raised £1,700 so was repeated the following year and is now one of the biggest tractor runs in the country, and has so far raised £92,686.85 for the air ambulance, with organisers hoping to reach £100,000 with the year’s event.

Sally Simpson, daughter -in-law of the event’s founder, said: “It went brilliantly, the weather was very kind to us and the public were very supportive. There was an amazing atmosphere as Kirkbymoorside Brass Band led the tractors into the town and Pickering was equally as busy.

"The air ambulance was also able to attend, which really added to the atmosphere and people were able to chat to the crew and find out more about the work they do.

“When we first started the tractor run we thought it would go for a year or two but it really has gone from strength to strength and is the one of the highlights of the May Day weekend.

"A big thank-you to everyone who is involved in the event, including the ladies who provided an incredible lunch, but particularly to Bernard Simpson who came up with the idea and has helped make the event such a success.”