Revelling in the heat to the sounds of the silver band, around 2,000 racing enthusiasts enjoyed Longnor's 103rd annual sports.

Last Thursday, fields at Waterhouse Farm were transformed into a racing track – first for the trotters, with horse and two-wheel carriages and later for the motorbikes.

Long-standing race secretary, Roy Bacon said: "The ice cream man sold out of ice cream, the bar man ran out of glasses and the bookmaker did a roaring trade at this year's event."

Commentator Peter Deighton, who had travelled 80 miles to attend the sports, said: "I go to lots of these shows all over the country, but people keep coming to Longnor because this has got the tradition."

Longnor Races began over a century ago when local farmers laid down a bet on who had the fastest horse and after galloping through the village's cobbled streets, the matter was decided.

This became an annual event and was later transferred to nearby fields.

Now the sports begin with a gymkhana at noon, followed by horse racing, harness racing, the famous golden mile run, motorbike racing and an evening cross-country fell run.

Stalwart Jason Podmore competed in every harness race, winning the first heat on Ystwyth Harrier, coming third on Blythe Meadow Jess in the second and third on Blythe View Tom in the novice race.

He took second place in the final on Ystwyth Harrier.

Winner of the final was Alan Haythornthwaite on Blue Russian who qualified after winning the second heat.

• A local motorbike rider was airlifted to hospital when he came off his bike. The air ambulance arrived at 6.30pm, shortly after the accident. Crew from RAF Cosford took the man, in his early 20s, to North Staffordshire hospital.

He had head, leg and shoulder injuries.

• Order pictures from Longnor Races 2007 online by visiting Photos Today