CELEBRATIONS for the 150th anniversary of a hillside landmark took an usual turn last night in the form of a pantomime horse derby.

The horses, ridden by well-known jockeys and coached by professional trainers, were under starter's orders at Thirsk Racecourse, North Yorkshire.

The event, called the White Horse Pantomime Horse Derby, was part of a family race evening and just one several events being held to mark the 150th anniversary of the Kilburn White Horse.

The furry competitors were watched by John Bielby, chairman of the White Horse Association, Ian Ashton, the chairman of the Herriot Attractions Group and David Shields, tourism manager for Hambleton District Council.

The Kilburn horse is the largest of the 11 carved chalk horses in Britain.