TEAMS of rafters made a splash when they took to the water to anchor away in the annual Arley to Stourport raft race.

Hundreds of people lined the River Severn to cheer on crews during Sunday’s charity fund-raising event, organised by the Kidderminster and District Lions Club.

Fourty-four rafts tackled the eight-mile event, which started at Arley on the west side of the river, with most of the cash, which has yet to be counted, going to the County Air Ambulance.

Competitors built their own rafts with crews of between four and 10 people and many of them donned fancy dress.

The crews also took advantage of a pit stop at Bewdley where they quenched their thirst in riverside pubs before sailing on to Stourport Boat Club to be lifted out of the water.

Ron Cross, chairman of the lions club, said: “It went very well indeed. There were a huge number of people watching in Bewdley and at times on Stourport Bridge.”

WonderWye Men won the super fast category, while HMS Imperial took top spot in the works section. Best Looking Boat in Kiddy scooped the pubs, clubs and social category.

To see the full list of race results visit arleystourportraftrace.co.uk.