SEVERAL teams competed in a two-mile bed push to raise money for medical equipment for a dales village.

Carlton in Coverdale has set itself a target of raising £2,300 by Christmas to buy a defibrillator for local use. The devices, used when patients have stopped breathing, are not just for doctors and can be found in many public places such as supermarkets, shopping centres and train stations.

With no first responders in the village, there are plans to train volunteers in its use and to administer first aid.

Five teams competed against each other, pushing a decorated bed over a two-mile course. They started at the top of Carlton and went to nearby Melmerby and back again, finishing at the village’s community-run pub.

Initially four teams set off, but the pub team suffered a mishap and had to withdraw.

The boys’ team were first back and thought they had won. However, a late entry of supermen competed the course in 15 minutes and 10 seconds, snatching victory. Landlady of the Foresters Arms in Carlton, Kimberley Brereton, said: “It wasn’t meant to be a race, but the competitive spirit kicked in. The objective was to have a bit of fun and raise some money.

In the end we raised £1,025 through a prize draw, a raffle and donations given to the teams as they went round the course. Our target is £2,300 by Christmas.” The day finished with a social event in the Foresters Arms where local band White Spirit entertained.