THE Lyme Lympic games struck gold and may have signalled the start of a new summer tradition.

The sun came out for the wacky sand sports at Lyme Regis and attracted a host of families and contenders for the madcap races and contests.

Even the organisers were taken aback by the success of the event held on the beach, which had been re-arranged after rain stopped play for the original Jubilee Games in June.

And despite the cancellation of the Conger Cuddling event after police and the authorities raised concerns about public safety, crowds flocked on to the sand for the races for all ages and degrees of eccentricity.

With no qualifying heats or sporting ability required, contestants signed up for events that included mermaid races, a waiters’ dash, the motorised fossils’ mobility scooter grand prix along the cart road, six and eight-legged races, tossing a suspiciously lightweight caber and a very wet tug of war.

“I think we may have a witnessed a new Lyme event,” said Geoff Baker, one of the organisers afterwards. It was just fantastic. People have been talking about it in the town.

“There was such a great family element – loads of children taking part. Even right at the end for the children’s tug or war, which everybody piled in for, in the end.

“The tide was well in and people got pulled over in the sea, but then demanded it was a best of three!”

Lympics’ founder Lyme artist Hugh Dunford Wood, who was games’ beachmaster, said that it was “wonderful”. “There was certainly an appetite for it,” he added.

“It was very child and family-friendly – it just worked. I think there may well be another Lympics next year.”

A collection made on the beach raised about £250, of which a share will go to Candles on the Cobb.