Oh no it isn’t? Oh yes it is!

A pantomime horse named Samson has tested his strength – by pulling a canal boat.

The comedy animal found it was no joke tugging NB Savile, a veteran trip boat owned by the Calder & Hebble Navigation Society.

The stunt was staged to promote the South Pennine Boat Club’s Boat Rally and Wild West Open Day to be held on Saturday, May 2, at Battyeford Island in Wood Lane, Battyeford, Mirfield.

Boat club commodore Peter Davies wanted to find a real horse to pull the boat but drew a blank.

Instead he found a pantomime horse to do the hard work and club member Diane Sykes came up with a special towing harness.

The NB Savile was loaded with passengers at Battyeford Cut – but Samson’s horsepower only lasted one way before he collapsed to his knees exhausted.

Pantomime Horse and Boatman Stuart Atkinson

Mr Davies said: “We needed to assess Samson’s strength but he’s really quite old.

“I think we’ll be relying on diesel power from now on.”

The rally is held every two years and has a different theme every time. This year the waterways are expected to be over-run with cowboys and Indians and there will be prizes for the best-dressed under-16s.

Fun activities include a bucking-bronco rodeo bull, stalls, a duck race, face-painting, coconut shy, music and entertainment, a real ale saloon bar, tea room, barbecue – and pantomime horse racing.

Boat trips will be offered at no charge, although the society would welcome donations to help with maintenance costs.

The event runs from 11am until 5pm.