A RECORD number of rubber ducks were released into the water at this year’s quackers duck race in Bradford on Avon.

Organisers had to turn some hopeful entrants in the queue away 10 minutes before the start of the event after selling a staggering 794 ducks.

A massive crowd gathered along the banks of the River Avon before the release of the ducks, 100 of which had to be sourced in the build-up to lift-off to cope with high demand.

Town councillor John Potter released the sack of ducks into the river at midday to a chorus of cheers from spectators, who then watched on in hope as their ducks made their way to the finish line at McKeever Bridge.

The victorious duck was owned by six-year-old Polly Evans of Downs View, Bradford on Avon, who won a spa day at Woolley Grange and an Easter egg.

The Christchurch Primary School pupil said: “It’s very exciting to win, I’ve entered every year since I was born but have never come in the top three before.

“I think it won because it was upside down which made it go quicker.

“I will tell all my friends and my teacher at school about it when I go back next week.”

The runner-up of the race was Ethan Moody and in third was Emily Searle.

Francesca Golton came all the way from Bristol to take part in the race with her partner, Adam, and five-year-old son Daniel.

The 34-year-old said: “We saw it advertised on Facebook and thought it sounded like good fun so came down for the day.

“It’s our first ever time in Bradford on Avon and we will definitely be back – this event is brilliant fun and the town is lovely.”

The town council’s tourism and events manager, Daryl Jones, who organised the event, said: “It went really well and there was a fantastic turnout.

“A big thank you must go to Bradford on Avon Canoe Club who rescued all the ducks from the water at the end of the race.

“It’s all thanks to teamwork that this brilliant traditional community event is allowed to continue.”

The money raised from the event will go towards funding the town's Christmas lights later this year.