A RECORD number of rubber ducks raced along the river to delight Bewdley crowds at an annual New Year's Day spectacle.

The banks of the River Severn were lined with cheering crowds at the New Year’s Day Duck Race, organised by the Kidderminster & District Lions Club.

Participants lined Load Street Bridge to throw their rubber ducks into the river. The ducks then battled it out down stream to the finish line at Lax Lane.

First to finish was duck number 1046 owned by Angie & Dan Davies.

Just under a thousand ducks were used in the race and the event raised approximately £3000 for people in need.

The best dressed homemade Duck, chosen by the Mayor John Byng, was made by James and Charlotte Wesley from Kidderminster.

Ron Cross, president of the Kidderminster and District Lions Club, said: "It went absolutely splendidly. I don't think we have had a bigger crowd watching over 30 odd years.

"It was massive and we ran out of ducks. We are over the moon about how it went, the weather was good, the river was kind to us for a change."

The club thanked everyone who took part, including Bewdley Rotary Club, Wyre Forest Canoe Club, The Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) for making the event a success.