Two people were injured after a crash during an annual festive tractor run across Dorset at the weekend - but the rest of the convoy soldiered on to the end. 

The WillDoes Tractor Run saw a group of more than 50 tractors take part in a convoy covered in Christmas lights on Sunday.

The run is a fundraiser in memory of Dorset teenager William Paddy, who took his own life in 2019 aged just 14.

But the event was impacted by a collision involving a car and one of the tractors in the convoy on the Old Sherborne Road near Cerne Abbas.

Two people were taken to hospital following the incident but their injuries were not thought to be serious, Dorset Police confirmed. 

A spokesman for the force said: “We received a report at 6.33pm on Sunday, December 11, 2022 of a collision on the Old Sherborne Road near Cerne Abbas involving a car and a tractor.

"Officers attended and two people were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not believed to be serious.

“The local authority was notified due to oil on the road and damage to the road surface. The road reopened shortly before 11pm.”

Funds raised from the tractor run will support the WillDoes charity in its mission of promoting social inclusion, mental wellbeing and physical health.

Participants donate £10 per tractor and met at Redlynch Farm in Bere Regis before travelling through areas including Piddlehinton, Charminster, Poundbury and Dorchester before heading back to the farm.

South West Farmer:

The event is supported by Redlynch Agriculture Engineering and the location of the meet was provided by the Miller family.

William's mum, Lesley, said that the run went well despite the setback from the crash, which caused timings to be altered.

Tractors not involved in the collision made their way to the end of the line, decorated with tinsel and Christmas lights.

"There were a lot of people waiting for the tractors and we did tell them there had been an accident," Lesley added. "But they all caught up. Unfortunately these things happen sometimes.

"The run was great, we had more than 50 tractors turn out. It is one of my favourite events; we see so many young people outside who have made tremendous effort in decorating their tractors."

Lesley said that she hoped to raise about £800 from the run, but was keen to make clear the event was not all about the money raised.

"It is about raising awareness. We set the charity up in 2019 after William passed away and so it was our mission to help as many young people as we can in the Dorset area."

For more information on the charity, visit www.willdoes.co.uk