FORMER winners of a much-loved New Year's Day pram race are being asked to check attics, store rooms and the backs of cupboards for their old trophies.

Organisers hoping to revive the Windermere event after a 15 year hiatus are keen to hand out the original awards - engraved with past winners - after the raucous event takes place on January 1 for the first time since 1999.

"It will just add a whole new aspect of history to it," said event director and South Lakeland District councillor, Ben Berry.

"Growing up I knew about the pram race and always enjoyed it.

"We're including a lot of the traditional aspects of it and it would be great if we could give out the old trophies to the winners."

The event was cancelled in 2000, after 24 years, so the trophies handed to the last batch of winners were never collected in.

Winners in 1999, taken from Gazette archives, include teams named 'Need for Speed', 'Pay Your Dry Cleaning Bill' and 'Discharged and Disabled', in categories including 'fastest team', 'most humorous' and 'best-dressed pram'.

Organisers also hope local people who have photographs of past events will come forward so the pictures can be uploaded to the internet and possibly used in a one-off exhibition in the town.

"It would be great to have that element of nostalgia to it," added Cllr Berry.

"Any trophies or photos people can find will be gratefully received."

The event has always taken place on New Year's Day, but previously the main focus was on participants taking 'pit stops' at a series of bars and pubs as they raced through Windermere's streets.

Now Windermere and Ambleside Lions Club wants to resurrect it with more emphasis on it being 'family friendly' - but in a nod to tradition participants will have to stop to imbibe soft drinks on Victoria Street instead.

As the Gazette reported last week, the proposed route for the event will see it begin outside Renoirs coffee shop on Main Road, heading up High Street before circling back down Victoria Street to finish outside Cafe Italia.

The £20 entry fee will go to the Lions' charity account to help local groups.

Planning permission is now being sought and more information can be found at www.windermerepramrace.co.uk

Anybody who finds a trophy or photos is asked to contact Cllr Berry on me@ben-berry.co.uk