The sight and sounds of wolf-like huskies hurtling through the Forest brought a record number of entrants and spectators to the Iain Hutchison Memorial Rally at Beechenhurst Lodge.

The two-day sled-dog event featured 89 teams from around the country and brought more spectators than ever before.

Race organiser Shaun Thompson, 32, from Ruspidge, said: "It went really well and was probably the best we've held. There was an awful lot of spectators and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves."

The racing featured teams of two, three, four or six dogs competing over a 2.6-mile course that started and finished near the Giant's Chair sculpture.

There was some success for local mushers with race co-organiser Matt Hammersley coming second in the three dog class. Kevin Hale who lives in Gloucester, but trains in the Forest, came second in the six dog class and won the veterans race for dogs over seven years old.

Building on the success of the events at Beechenhurst, the Forest will host the first ever three-day stage race to be held in Britain next month.

The Wyedean Quest will be based at the Speech House and runs from February 27-March 1.