Eave-oh as pub teams give it a bit of muscle

They formed two tug of war teams to challenge each other outside The Lamb in Steyne Street for the great 'Eave-Oh!'.

Team A, led by assistant manager Terry Nash and Team B, with landlord Andrew Rawlins as captain, took each other on at 6pm on Christmas Eve. Some 40 locals joined in or supported the teams.

Landlady Sherry Rawlins acted as the adjudicator.

She had a tough job choosing between the teams as they both put in strength, effort and determination to win the prize of a barrel of beer.

But in the end Team B pulled together and had a clear win, with plenty of cheering celebrating their victory.

One of the contestants, John Farndell, said: "It was exhilarating."

He and the others have requested that The Lamb stage more tug of war contests against other pubs around Bognor rather than waiting until next Christmas Eve.

The 'Eave-Oh! is rumoured to date back decades at the pub, believed to be more than 100 years old.

But it had been lost in recent years. Mr Rawlins said this year's revival had been a brilliant way to begin the Christmas festivities.

It would definitely form part of the celebrations from now on.

Mrs Rawlins added: "This was a snippet of history, a lot of fun and fantastic to be part of '“ right here in Bognor."