NINETEEN teams made a splash at the annual Kidderminster and District Lions Club raft race from Arley to Stourport.

Home-made rafts sailed the eight miles through Bewdley to raise money for 12 different charities including the Midlands Air Ambulance, chosen by the Lions.

Last year’s race was cancelled due to heavy flooding which meant the 132 rafters had to set off from a new starting point this year.

The competitors congregate in a field and carry the rafts the short distance to the launch point.

Teams are made up of four to 10 people who compete in three categories, super rafts, works and companies and pub, club and social.

Just Quackers won the super raft category for specialist rafters. Imperial Raft Wars won the works and companies category and Three Buoys and a Gull won in the pub, club and social category.

The best dressed was Andy’s Barbers in Stourport.

Spokesman for the Lions Club, Ron Cross, said: “The river was not very kind to us last year. It was far too deep and dangerous.

“This year it was hard work for some of the rafters but it was safe.

“The race went very well. There were a lot of supporters on Bewdley bridge and Stourport bridge. They throw eggs and flour at the rafters and say it's part of the fun but it’s actually quite dangerous.”

The Severn Area Rescue Association, Redditch Divers and Mercian Divers also played their part in ensuring the raft race was safe for competitors.

The race was originally launched 30 years ago by Kidderminster Hospital Radio and was taken over by the Lions when it became more popular.