About 250 people braved the cold and stinking mud in Essex for one of the world's dirtiest sporting events.

Thousands of people watched the annual mud race at Maldon which challenges runners to race across the mouth of the River Blackwater at low tide.

Competitors, many of whom wear fancy dress, waded across the river bed to the far bank and back again.

It was the second Maldon Mud Race of 2009, after the 2008 event was postponed due to high tides.

The race raises tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.