A RECORD breaking number of people came out to enjoy the sunshine and community spirit at Bratton’s duck race on Saturday.

Around 80 people put their pennies on more than 300 ducks which were released into the

river at Stradbrook by Ray

Davis, Bratton village crier.

More than £650 was raised in total through selling the ducks, a raffle, a duck treasure hunt and stalls of homemade cakes and coffee.

The money will be split equally between Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the St James Church water supply.

Jude Curtis, one of the organisers, said: “We were so lucky with the weather this year, it’s the best weather we have ever seen at our duck races.

“We threw just over 300 ducks into the water, for the first time we actually ran out of ducks!

“We will certainly be breeding some more for next year.”

The first Bratton duck race took place 10 years ago and was organised by Mrs Curtis’ dad, Bernie Cooper, in an attempt to get Bratton residents to get to know each other, and to have a bit of fun in the village.

Mr Cooper, also known as the duck meister, is now not up to organising the race each year. He has passed the baton on to Mrs Curtis and her husband Alan, as well as friends Ian and Gill Humphry.

Mrs Curtis added: “My dad decided to organise the duck race 10 years ago as a way to get the community together, and bring out young families.

“It has always been primarily about having fun, but the fact we raised so much money for charity was great.

“Now 10 years on my dad has certainly managed to bring the community together through his hard work over the years.”