COMING last in a crazy golf tournament on Southend seafront proved to be hair-raising for 79-year-old Jeanette Robinson.

She was given tickets for Adventure Island's latest rollercoaster Rage after finishing last in the British Masters Mini-golf Tournament, staged at the theme park.

The pensioner, from Paddock Wood, Kent, gamely accepted and went on the ride with one of her sons.

Giving a prize for last place is typical of the whacky tournament. One entrant, Ian Barrett, came all the way from Australia to take part, complete with several supporters.

The annual event was filmed by Emma Woods, who is touring the UK putting together a film on odd pastimes.

Crazy golf, long a seaside favourite, ranks beside cheese rolling and the world marbles championship.

The players at the Aztec Adventure and Inca Challenge courses competed to get the best score during two rounds of 36 holes in total.

Keith Kellard was declared winner, getting a prize of £150 and the honour of owning the checked master's jacket for a year. Mr Kellard is an old hand at the noble sport of crazy golf. He is the president of the British Mini-golf Association and plays internationally.

Organiser John McIver, who also took part in the contest, said: "It was very good fun.

"Mini-golf is one of these sports that isn't difficult to get people to play. The courses in Southend are always swarming with people. It seems difficult for people to take it seriously as a sport. It's good for hand-eye coordination, and it's a great introduction to golf."