A QUACKING turnout flocked to Bradford on Avon’s town bridge on Sunday for the annual duck race which raised over £600 for local causes.

Hundreds took part in the rescheduled town council run event at 12pm to watch the rubber ducks bob along the river to the finish at McKeever Bridge.

A £50 Bunch of Grapes voucher was awarded to the winner Harry Turner, a two course lunch at the Weaving Shed for runner up Jay Woodlock and a £10 Ex-Libris book shop token for third placed Chris Knight.

Cllr Jon Potter said: “It was jolly good fun. There was a really good crowd, not quite as much as there would have been if the Easter Monday one was not cancelled due to high river levels but still a great day’s fun nonetheless.

“You could see there was a great amount of enthusiasm from everyone involved and the helpers were fantastic. Usually we get the canal club to help pack up all the ducks but this year the volunteers really answered the call brilliantly.

“It was all a good laugh and it went as well as could have been expected, everyone really enjoyed themselves. It went swimmingly.”

If the photo finish race was not captivating enough, the efforts to retrieve all the ducks by the helpers, who fell in multiple times, certainly kept the crowds thoroughly entertained.

“We ended up collecting hundreds of ducks, which caused me so much trouble,” said Harrison Keyzar, eight, who helped collect the ducks along with younger brother Reuben, seven, and dad Piers in their canoe.

“It was really good fun but I am a bit fed up of ducks now. One duck pushed me off the boat I swear. It was lucky real ducks were not used.”

Mr Piers, 36, added: “I am very proud of the boys for their stellar efforts. There were quite a few ducks that looked like they could escape our clutches but it was a great team effort.

“Harrison fell in but he is used to it and we were very happy to help the event go well.”

The proceeds of the event will go towards the town’s Christmas lights fund.