Rolling out the barrel - despite the rain

The annual barrel run event saw four teams start out at the Moon and Spoon pub in the town - all in fancy dress and all determined to roll their barrels to the Wheatsheaf and Red Cow pubs, stopping off at others on the way to drum up more support and pull in more contributions for their chosen charity.

The founder of the barrel race, former Slough resident Mike Stevens came back specially to help with the judging.

The team from the Moon and Spoon won the prize for best costume - for their circus outfits based on the film The Greatest Showman. Jack Barton from the pub made an excellent ringmaster with customer Keiron Williams as an impressive bearded lady.

The Wheatsheaf team won for having the best decorated barrel - quite appropriate as they were all dressed as barrels themselves. While the Red Cow team whose members were dressed as The Simpsons from the famous TV cartoon series won for inventing the best game.

TheIR game was played at the Red Cow and involved balloons and Homer Simpson's favourite food - doughnuts.

The fourth team the Slough Town Supporters Club team had come up with a Tarot game that intrigued everyone at the Moon and Spoon.

The Moon and Spoon team were overall winners - with most points, for their outfit, inventing a game and for supping the most pints at each pub.

Ian Reynolds, duty manager at the Moon and Spoon, said: "We have had great feedback. It was a shame about the weather but we improvised. The teams visited a few guest pubs to boost contributions and whip up support for next year's barrel race."

The event raised £1,000 for the charity Destiny Support, run by Sue Njuguna at Chalvey Community Centre. The charity offers help and support to people facing problems like sudden unemployment, isolation or financial problems.

Mrs Njuguna said: "We help about 1,000 people annually, giving IT advice, helping with difficult and complicated forms - all the things that can happen to anyone and can be devastating."