THE team behind the Hatherleigh tar barrels 'World Tour' had a small crisis last weekend — they realised they were short of the crucial barrels.

Geoff Hodgkinson, who helped prepare the barrels, said there was 'a bit of a panic' when they arrived at the top secret location outside Hatherleigh where the barrels were stored.

'We could not find the two remaining barrels left over from last year. We only had one, which doesn't work very well!' said Geoff.

'Some frantic telephone calls were made and we located some at Country Lanes, the garden centre.

'We dashed off to get them. Country Lanes offered a great deal when they heard why we wanted them, and after that it was back to complete the work.

'We'd like to thank Country Lanes for their fast reaction to our problem — they even had the barrels out in the car park ready to load when we arrived.'

Team stalwart Dougal Stevens said: 'I've been making these barrels since I was a boy and we get the odd problem, but nothing like this.

'Still, it was OK and the tradition is safe for another year.'

The fourth annual world tour pull takes place this Saturday in preparation for the Hatherleigh Carnival on November 12.

The ten-mile pull is being held to raise money for the tar barrel funds for the carnival. Each barrel costs around £40 — to ensure a spectacular display the tar barrel committee is hoping to raise as much money as possible. Any surplus funds raised will be donated to local good causes.

The pull starts at the Crossways Inn at Folly Gate at around 2.30pm, and coincides with the pub's beer festival weekend.

Landlord and landlady John and Wendy Williams have kindly agreed to have collection tins on hand throughout the weekend to help boost the committee's coffers, and are also providing free refreshments for the pullers.

The half-time break will be at the Green Dragon in Northlew at around 4.30pm, with landlord John Palmer opening early for the barrel pullers. After a pint and more free refreshments courtesy of John, the pullers will return to the Square in Hatherleigh with an impressive torchlit return at 8.30pm.

This year's team organiser Robert Hill said: 'I wouldn't miss this for the world. It's a tradition going back centuries — to pagan times, some say. To be part of it is just great.'

The tradition has also attracted youngsters this year, with team mascot Austin Guest, aged 14, accompanying the barrel pullers around their ten mile trek.

Austin said: 'I'm not old enough to pull the barrels on carnival day yet, but I'll be there for the world tour on Saturday, and I'm hoping to do the whole ten miles, too.'

The committee is receptive to meeting those keen to take part in the barrel pull at November's carnival.

New members from the area are always welcome, but they must be over 16 on carnival day.

Their next meeting is on Wednesday September 21 at Hatherleigh Cricket Club at 8.30pm.

Any new members who wish to pull barrels at the carnival must attend this meeting.