Published: November 4, 2012
In photos: Horse carriage driving enthusiasts compete on Brean Beach

These were the unusual scenes on Brean Beach on Sunday when scores of horse-drawn carriages gathered for a regional competition.

Horse driving enthusiasts from across the South West flocked to take part in the first competition held on the sands.

Organised by the British Driving Society, the event attracted riders from Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

Organiser Kathleen Hill told Burnham-On-Sea.com the hard sand and calm weather provided ideal conditions.

"Brean beach is a lovely venue that's great for carriage driving. Today's event has been a fun day with a competition element - it's been well supported and there has been lots of interest. We certainly plan to come back next year," she said.

Brean Parish Council, which manages the beach, gave its approval to the event along with the National Trust. The horses were transported to the event in horse boxes which were parked at Brean Cove, next to the Trust's cafe.