THERE were ducks as far as the eye could see when the townsfolk of Tadcaster went quackers at the annual Duck Race and Family Fun Day.

Now in its seventh year, the event drew a large crowd as hundreds of people turned out to try their luck with a duck, or take advantage of the numerous stalls on the river bank alongside the Wharfe.

Every one of the 2,500 yellow ducks were sold and then were dropped from the viaduct, swimming for their lives to claim the first, second and third prize. Also falling from the viaduct were 50 brightly coloured corporate ducks sponsored by Tadcaster businesses.

But it was much more than that, with the camaraderie of the day in evidence as children entered into the spirit of the occasion by wearing duck hats and having their faces painted.

The Duck Race is a major fundraiser for the Tadcaster Swimming Pool Trust and forms a local part of life in the community. Many community groups participated by having a stall and raising funds for their own cause and in keeping with the duck theme there was hook a duck and a cake stall selling cupcakes with ducks on!

Celebrities invited to throw the ducks from the viaduct included Olympic swimmer Chris Cook and BBC television presenter Clare Frisby. Ben Wright from Tadcaster East Primary School had previously won the painting competition whereby all the local primary schools were invited to paint a duck and he was also on hand to make sure every duck went over the edge. Members of the Lower Wharfe Canoe Club guided the ducks over the weir and to the finish line and BBC Radio York presenter Adam Tomlinson kept the crowds entertained, especially as the ducks took a long time to reach that finishing line.

The first corporate duck through the line was number 29, sponsored by Dawson and Clarke Hairdressing and the winner of the general duck race was Sharon Smith with number 622.

Chris Porter, facility manager at Tadcaster Swimming Pool, said: “The year’s event was the best ever with unbelievable community support and we owe a huge thanks to all those people who helped to organise and donate raffle prizes,” said Chris Porter, “It was magnificent."

The event raised 1,874.66 on the day with another £1,000 from previous ticket sales to add to that.

Chris said: “The grand total should be near £3,000 and we will be using this money to purchase equipment for the small pool for our young children."