BEWDLEY’S annual duck race is being held on Easter Monday.

The popular event takes place on the rearranged date after a high and dangerous River Severn prevented the race going ahead on its traditional New Year’s Day date. It was the first time in about 20 years the race had not taken place on January 1.

Ducks will be on sale from 10am on Easter Monday at Severn Side South.

A fancy dressed duck competition will be judged at about 11.30am and the race, which sees hundreds of participants launch plastic ducks into the River Severn from the Load Street bridge, will begin at noon.

President of organisers Kidderminster and District Lions Club, Terry White, said: “The spectacle of hundreds of people throwing yellow plastic ducks from the bridge is amazing, so please come along on Easter Monday and enjoy the buzz.

“The river has been cruel to us over the past 12 months, with conditions halting both our traditional Arley to Stourport raft race and the duck race but we are bouncing back. The duck race will be great fun on April Fools Day and the raft race is planned for Sunday, May 12.”

In 2012, £2,500 was raised for the Lions’ chosen charities at the duck race as more than 2,000 spectators lined the banks of the River Severn to watch 884 ducks in the water.