The annual ‘Friends of the Porter Valley Duck Race’ has taken place at Endcliffe Park.

The race consisted of 2,500 plastic ducks being released from a launching tower into the River Porter just below the weir above Home Wheel Dam.

Tracey, 48, of Summerfield said: “This event has given me so many happy memories. This is my fifth duck race. It is always so much fun.”

The ducks float down the river for 450 metres to the finish line. The first 40 ducks are then captured in order of how they finished the race.

Members of the public are given an opportunity to buy a ticket for a duck, in the chance that said duck finishes in a winning position.

The winning ducks are then announced on the organisation’s website. Whoever purchased a ticket corresponding to one of these ducks receives the opportunity to win a prize.

Coordinator Glynis Jones said: “What started off as a primarily fund-raising event for heritage and environmental projects in the valley, has now become just as important for the enjoyment it provides to the local community and beyond.”

Technically, there are many factors that play into the successful execution of the duck race.

The team behind the race starts preparation the day before with final checks being done the morning of the event.

Some members of the organising staff physically enter the river during the event on 1 April, to help move along any ducks that are stuck or aren’t flowing down the river.

South West Local Councillor Andrew Sanglar said : “Obviously, it is all dependent on having sufficient water in the river.

“This has not been a problem this year as it has been raining so much! In very dry years you have to sort of hold the water back.

“The river bank this year has been a bit cold but the turnout is still very good and lots of ducks have been sold!”

Funds raised from this year’s event are going towards the new toad sculpture in Endcliffe Park.