Annual Middle Rasen duck race marks quacking start to new year

The £1 ducks have been on sale in the weeks leading up to the event

Spectators have flocked to watch 1,800 rubber ducks battle it out as a Lincolnshire village held its annual New Year's Day race.

Crowds gathered on the banks of Middle Rasen's River Rase as the yellow ducks were unleased in the water.

The annual duck race has been running for more than 20 years and raises money for local good causes.

Organiser Wendy Folgate said this year's number of ducks had beaten last year's record of 1500.

The ducks bobbed along the water from the starting point at Parry's Bridge in Low Church Road, to the bridge in Church Street.

The ducks are stored in volunteers' garages until race day

The weather conditions meant the race was completed within a record breaking time of ten minutes, instead of the usual 12 to 15 minutes.

Ms Folgate said a group of volunteers from the village had organised the event for the last several years but it had been running for more than 20 years.

"It's so much fun and a great way to blow off the cobwebs on New Year's Day," she said.

Spectators watch to see which duck will make it cross the finish line first

"The money raised goes back into the the community. It's been used for the installation and upkeep of three defibrillators in the village and also for various other groups and organisations."

Donated prizes are given for the first six ducks across the finish line as well as the duck that comes last, Ms Folgate said.