Quackers! Thousands turn out for Bewdley duck race - with pictures
"It was spectacular and the site of hundreds of yellows ducks going down the river is unique."
Thousands of people have gathered to watch an annual duck race for charity on the River Severn.
Bewdley went quackers for the event on New Year's Day which saw hundreds of ducks race down the river.
Kidderminster and District Lions Club organised the unique event which pitted the rubber birds against each other.
They were thrown into the water from the Load Street bridge at around 12pm on the day, after the Mayor of Bewdley, Councillor John Byng, started them off.
Councillor Byng said: "It was a very enjoyable event – it was pretty huge, and the estimates were that there was 4,000 people there and they sold out of ducks quite easily.
"It was a really good occasion, really excellent.
"It's a very unusual event started in a very unusual manner, by firing a cannon. I was told to pull a lanyard to fire it – but they didn't say how loud it was going to be."
GALLERY: More highlights of the day
Rubber ducks then battled along the river as spectators waited to see which would pass the finish line at Lax Lane.
Prizes were also handed out for the best-dressed duck.
Mr Byng added: "I don't think there are any, or not many, who start with ducks being thrown off a bridge.
"All in all the Lions did a wonderful job of organising it, as they always do."
The popular Bewdley New Year’s Duck Race has raised thousands of pounds for local charities and organisations over the years.
