STRONG men and women will be undertaking one of the Lake District's most gruelling challenges on Sunday.

The Kirkstone Car Pull - now in its 37th year - will see teams of male and females haul a one tonne vehicle up The Struggle from Ambleside to Kirkstone Pass, a distance of three miles.

Organised by Dave Reynolds, who was inspired when he saw the horses and carts going up Kirkstone Pass, the event has been kept alive by his family for close to four decades.

Now led by his son, David Jnr, the event is open to anybody, as long as the car they pull is a tonne in weight including the driver.

The teams' sizes vary, from 30 in each women's team and 14 in the men's.

"We are hoping to attract large numbers of visitors," said car pull committee member Sandra Graves. "Anybody can get a team together, everybody is welcome.

"The record for the men stands at 52 minutes, and that was set years ago. For the women, the record is one hour, two minutes and two seconds."

This year proceeds from the event will be going towards the Grizedale Chemotherapy Unit at the Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal.