Newbury Duck Race was plain sailing

The Newbury Duck Race was plain sailing this year, organisers have said.

The event made a welcome return to the town after a more than five year hiatus.

Hundreds of plastic ducks were poured into the Kennet and Avon Canal starting line at the Lock, Stock and Barrel.

For the first time since 2016 the little yellow birds battled their way across the water with their eyes on the finish line at Victoria Park.

And it was a roaring success, said Newbury Lions member Margo Payne.

“Children were naming their ducks and searching for them along the water,” she added.

“There were lots of people at the Lock, Stock and Barrel.

“There must have been over a thousand people [attending].

“The ducks were big and they looked pretty colourful.

“Someone dressed up as a duck and someone dressed up as our mascot Rory the lion.”

The two mascots were out in town drawing in crowds to come and sneak a peek at the colourful display.

She said the event raised just shy of £1,000, which will go to the Newbury Lions Welfare Fund.

The organisation also raises money for local charities including Newbury Soup Kitchen and West Berkshire Homeless.

It supports other causes in the district helping families in need and working with social services.

The first and second prizes – of £100 and £50 – were courtesy of EweMove branch director Aggie Niyonsenga.

The third prize of £25 was donated by Kennet Radio.

Newbury Lions said another duck race is definitely on the cards for next year.