Couples from across the country took part in the 13th UK Wife Carrying Race in Dorking, Surrey on February 29.

According to the rules of the competition, "wives" can be male or female but must weigh at least 50 kg and there are penalties for dropping your partner.

Organisers suggested the activity of wife-carrying began in June 793 AD and the sport was first introduced in Sonkajärvi, Finland.

The winner of the UK Wife Carrying Race wins a barrel of local ale (worth £150).

Couples from across the country took part in the 13th UK Wife Carrying Race in Dorking, Surrey this morning. Under the rules, all "wives" - who can either be male or female and over the age of 18 - had to weigh at least 50kg and there were penalties for dropping your partner. Organisers suggested the activity of wife-carrying began in June 793 AD and the sport was first introduced in Sonkajärvi, Finland. The winner of the UK Wife Carrying Race wins a barrel of local ale (worth £150).