HUNDREDS of fundraisers, including two town mayors, braved the wet weather to flex their muscles at the Dorset Plane Pull event which took place at Bournemouth Airport on bank holiday Monday.

Around 15 teams of 20 plus people took on the challenge of trying to pull a 35,000kg Boeing 737 a total of 50 metres, following a delayed start because of the wet weather.

The event, now in its sixth year, has raised a total of around £75,000 since it first started for local charities including the John Thornton Young Achievers' Foundation and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Richard Griffin, who organised the event along with Kyrie and Andrew Feltham, said: "We thought we were going to have to postpone it completely because it looked as though it was going to be an absolute wash out, but thankfully somebody was on our side and we decided to delay the start for a few hours which turned out to be the right decision."

He added: "We are hoping to reach the £100,000 target, but given the weather and a few teams dropping out at the last minute we might not make it, but it has been a big success. We braved the British weather and made the best of it so we're very happy."

Bournemouth mayor Cllr John Adams and Christchurch mayor Cllr Fred Neale turned up to support the event.

Cllr Adams, who joined a team raising funds for Dorset's Riding for the Disabled Association, said afterwards: "It took a bit of effort to get going at first, but once we started rolling there was no stopping us. It was great fun."

All eyes were on last year's reigning champions, Al of A Pull, to see if they would be able to retain their title after pulling the plane in 21.6 seconds.

Visitors also had the added bonus this year of being able to take tours of two typhoon planes that are currently based at the airport for an aircraft display.

Display pilot Jonny Dowen said: "We were delighted to be part of this event as it gives people a chance to see the RAF's newest, most capable aircraft."