THEY'RE pink, they've got trotters and they are under starter's orders for a race with a difference this weekend in York.

The going is good to firm at The Farmer's Cart, near Strensall, where four prize pigs will be battling it out for first place over 400 metres.

Farmer Geoff Sykes has been training two Gloucester Old Spots and two Middle Whites every night for two months to transform the animals into hasty hogs.

Shop manager Ruth Cornforth said Geoff picked up the idea of pitting the four porkers head-to-head during a holiday in America, where the sport is more common.

She said: "The training has had its ups and downs as they are not too keen on the starting horn, but we're quite positive they're going to run a good race."

The race is part of a Strawberry Jubilee festival this weekend, which also includes strawberry tart throwing, a strawberry pie eating competition and strawberry and spoon racing.

Ruth said: "The pig racing isn't strictly strawberry-related, but it promises to be a lot of fun, and people are talking about it like mad."

Updated: 09:07 Saturday, July 03, 2004