Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Ducks take to the river
for the annual Rotary Club race

Visitors enjoying the sights
and sounds of the Westgate Gardens in Canterbury on Saturday
must have thought it was quackers.

But for those who’d put a pound or
two on the outcome, the city Rotary Club’s annual duck race was an
intriguing battle against the elements.

The event once again brought the
crowds out to witness the surreal spectacle of a sea of plastic
yellow ducks fighting the weeds, currents and other obstacles to
get to the front.

More than 3,750 of them took to the
Stour in Toddler's Cove for the quarter-mile race to the bridge
near Tower House.

Most had been ‘bought’ for £1 in
the hope of winning the £250 first prize, but there were also 90
corporate ducks costing £25, with a crate of champagne awaiting the
winner.

The front runner soon emerged as
duck number 1225, who made the most of a clear inside line beside
the river bank.

It had been bought by retired
telecoms engineer Barry Rice. The winning corporate duck was
sponsored by Tony Pratt, of Canterbury Auction Galleries, whose
staff can now toast their success with the bubbly.

The race was the final fundraiser
during the reign of president, Harry Cragg who will soon hand over
the chain of office to Robert Boyd-Howell.

He said: "This is the 14th year we
have staged the duck race and it is as popular as ever. It is great
to see so many people turn out in the Westgate Gardens to support
it and we were fortunate to have good weather.

"The ducks have sold really well
and I am hopeful we will raise around £6,000 for local charities,
which would be fantastic."