Around 300 competitors took part in the Maldon Mud Race in May sunshine, battling their way through the muck to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

East Anglian Daily Times: A crowd of competitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireA crowd of competitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Despite being dirty work, it was great fun. The first competitor to complete the course on Sunday was Christopher Lee, in a gun time of three minutes, 38 seconds.

East Anglian Daily Times: Competitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCompetitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The event, watched by thousands of spectators, for the first time also featured an Elite Race, which was won by Maldon Cricket Club.

East Anglian Daily Times: Competitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race, racing across the mud of the River Blackwater Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCompetitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race, racing across the mud of the River Blackwater Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

People from as far afield as Italy and Germany regularly travel to the event, which has expanded to include stalls and entertainment including a duck race.

East Anglian Daily Times: Competitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCompetitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

This year's Mud Race was raising money for nine charities - Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, the Daniel Wilkinson Foundation, Brainwave, the David Randall Foundation, Little Havens Hospice, The Cinnamon Trust, Maldon and District Sea Cadets, Farleigh Hospice and Action for Family Carers.

East Anglian Daily Times: Competitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCompetitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The race originated in 1973, with a dare being given by a local resident to the landlord of the Queen's Head pub, which stands on the Hythe Quay in Maldon, challenging him to serve a meal on the saltings of the Rivers Blackwater dressed in a dinner jacket.

East Anglian Daily Times: Joel Hicks taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireJoel Hicks taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The challenge was accepted and carried out - and led to the annual race, which has grown in popularity over the years.

East Anglian Daily Times: Competitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCompetitors taking part in the annual Maldon Mud Race. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire