How the west of Rossington was won!

Doncaster pensioners Mick Soloman, aged 65, Bill Anderson, who is in his 70s, and Bob Johnson, who is in his 60s, donned stetsons and head dresses to turn themselves into the Rossington Gunslingers.

The trio put on a Western show for the estimated 3,500 people who visited the event at the Rossington Welfare Grounds on West End Lane.

They are among 12 Western fans who have joined together to set up the club and put on shows, complete with replica guns which fire blanks.

Bill, a retired miner, said the pals had started the group because of a shared list of cowboy films.

He said: "We thought it would be great to relive the old west in Doncaster.

"We put on quick draw shows and a bit of trick shooting. The kids always ask us about the guns, but we tell them they're not toys and although they only fire blanks, they could be dangerous.

"My favourite Western in Shane, starring Alan Ladd, but I love all the John Wayne films too."

While Mick and Bob dress as cowboys, Bill dons an Indian outfit complete with head dress, which was made by his wife Maureen.

"We really enjoy it and it's great playing the galas," said Mick.

The gunslingers were one of dozens of acts taking part in the event on Bank Holiday Monday.

The army cadets were also at the event to perform a drill with batons, and a selection of bands were on show.

They included rock group Teaser, who performed song made famous by bands including Thin Lizzy, the girl duo Personal FX, and a band called Northern Image.

And this year the whole event was broadcast around the world - courtesy of amateur radio hams who set up an aerial at the event, and spoke to fellow enthusiasts from as far away as Massachusetts in American, and Russia.

Ron Murkin, chairman of the Rossington Community Carnival Association, was delighted with the turn out and was amazed by the success of the radio transmissions.

He said: "We had to put the transmitter in a corner of the field to keep it away from interference by the microphones at other parts of the event, but a lot of people went to see what was happening.

"It's great to think we were broadcasting from Rossington to the world.

"I'd like to say thanks to the committee and the helpers who put in such a lot of work to make the event happen."

n The club meets at the Country and Western night at Rossington Welfare every week, and is looking for more members. Email [email protected] for details.