THE Grand National may have been cancelled, but staff at a care home in Bury went the distance for their residents- by putting on a race of their own.

Staff at Epworth Grange dressed as jockeys and horses and ran laps around the garden, as residents cheered them on.

A ‘ladies enclosure’ was set up for the home’s women, while ‘champagne’ was also dished out to residents as part of the celebrations.

A tree branch also acted as Becher’s Brook, the iconic national fence, with the ‘riders’ jumping over the tricky obstacle.

Kate Turner, the activities co-ordinator at the home who donned a blow-up horse and jockey, said: “The manager suggested doing our own Grand National because it was cancelled.

“Residents also can’t see their family because of the restrictions so we thought we would inject a bit of fun.

“They loved it and the next day we put it on for residents so that they could relive it and they all had a really good time.”

Runners in the ‘Epworth National’ included Scooby, Jazzy Pants and Crinkley Bottom, while Kate’s Blow Up Doll ranked as the 40-1 outsider.

The winner was 5-1 Magical Mystery- also known as the home’s chef, Shirley.

The care home in Chirmside Street also put on a race night as part of their national festivities, as residents and staff got into the party mood.

Photos and videos from the event were posted on the home’s Facebook page, with Kate adding that it was good for families to see that their loved ones were enjoying themselves.

The home added on its Facebook that the event was a a “rip-roaring success” and that even their “neighbours gave us a round of applause.”

The 2020 National race was cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and a virtual simulation was broadcast on ITV instead, with all cash from the bets on it going to the NHS.

The cancellation marked the first time since World War II that the famous steeplechase was not run.