THE centre of Bradford on Avon welcomed a special visitor this week to help promote the annual Easter Monday Duck Race.

Puddle the duck, also known as Ceri Birth, was at the Town Bridge on Monday (March 27) to help spread the word. She was joined by Daryl Jones of Bradford on Avon Town Council to drum up support for the Easter festivities.

“It is usually a very fun and busy event, I think we are looking at about 600 ducks racing in the river this year,” said Mrs Jones.

“As well as the race, there will also be a workshop at St Margaret’s Hall afterwards where children will be able to make duck models which will then be animated for a video that will go on social media later that afternoon.”

Produly supported by Puddle Ducks, a group which teaches swimming to children aged between nought and five-years-old, the Duck Race will welcome back Mrs Birth for the event.

"I am really looking forward to it, I will be dressed up as Puddle Duck again for the race day. We teach babies and toddlers to swim at Woolley Grange which has donated one of the prizes for this year," Mrs Birth said.

This year’s event will be the final duck race for Bradford on Avon town councillor John Potter, who will be leaving the council this year.

“I am helping out during the event," said Cllr Potter. "I will either be helping collect the ducks with the canoe club or I will be one of the people throwing them over the bridge. We have about three or four huge bin bags full of them. It is going to be a lot of fun – it always is."

There are prizes for the winning ducks this year: a family spa day donated by Woolley Grange Hotel and Spa, afternoon tea at Iford Manor and a personal coaching session Jazmine Wolf. The Duck Race takes place at the town bridge at midday on Easter Monday. You can purchase ducks, costing £1, from the TIC, the library, the town council offices and various shops in the town. Ducks will also be available on the morning of the event.