FROM a parade of spectacular racing cars to a wacky mascot race, Hunts Post photographer, Helen Drake has selected some of her favourite pictures from 2008. Huntingdon-based Lola cars stole the headlines in October when they drew a crowd of more than 10,

FROM a parade of spectacular racing cars to a wacky mascot race, Hunts Post photographer, Helen Drake has selected some of her favourite pictures from 2008.

Huntingdon-based Lola cars stole the headlines in October when they drew a crowd of more than 10,000 people for their 50th anniversary parade in the town.

At the wheel of each car was a Lola driving legend - or in some cases a descendant of the racing driver - with the most famous of the bunch being John Surtees OBE, the only man to have won world championships on both two wheels and four.

Making the headlines in September was the annual John Smith's mascot race held at Huntingdon Racecourse. Fur flew as all 71 mascots from around the country scampered, crawled and flew around the racecourse in a bid to come first in the prestigious race.

Despite the poor weather more than 3,000 people turned out to watch the race. The winner was a bear from Saffron Walden Football Club. Unfortunately The Hunts Post newshound lost the scent of victory and crossed the finish line towards the back of the pack.

Nine-year-old Toby Taylor, from Hamerton, found himself in The Hunts Post after discovering a cheetah in his garden.

The youngster came face-to-face with the animal after it escaped through a faulty electric fence at nearby Hamerton Zoo.

Terrified Toby fled inside the house and watched with his mother, Jules, from the kitchen window as the Cheetah ripped his bicycle seat to pieces.

Keepers at the zoo described the hand-reared cheetah. called Akea, as tame and as a follow-up story Hunts Post reporter, Natalie Bowyer, ventured into his cage to meet the big cat.

The stars of the business world were honoured in November at the annual Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards. The prestigious Business of the Year 2008 went to the George Hotel and Brasserie in Buckden. The George also won the Retailer of the Year Award at the black-tie event at the Burgess Hall in St Ives.

In August the Hunts Post documented sporting history when Louis Smith returned victorious from the Beijing Olympics. The Huntingdon Olympic Gym Club star made Olympic history by becoming the first British man in 80 years to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics after picking up bronze in Beijing on the pommel horse.

The 19-year-old told The Hunts Post: "It was unbelievable - like nothing I have ever experience before. It makes 14 years of hard work worthwhile.