THIS mythical beast is looking to bring good tidings rather than fire and destruction to York.

For this elaborately-carved dragon's head is the special trophy for a new summer sporting event on the River Ouse.

The first Great York Dragon Boat Challenge takes place on Sunday July 13, and a full complement of teams is already booked for the event.

It is being organised by the Rotary Club of York in aid of St Leonard's Hospice, and the race is being run by professional dragon boat specialist, The Organisation Ltd, which is also supplying the colourful boats.

The winning team will receive the resin cast trophy, designed and made by York College's Design and Craft student Gavin Pollard, 23, from Goole.

He won a competition set by the Rotary Club with a prize of £100 and a certificate.

"It is a very ingenious design and we were very impressed with the students' enthusiasm and ideas," said Rotarian Graham Wilford, chairman of the dragon boat committee.

"The event will be quite spectacular and we hope it will be a great asset to the city, making use of the river and raising money for the hospice and other charities. We are very pleased with the response. We needed 30 teams to enter the race and we have got our 30 teams.

"They are from a good cross-section of the city, including the uniformed services, both small and large businesses, a school, youth groups and BBC North Yorkshire."

Ed Poxon is the course leader of the HND Design Crafts course at York College.

He said: "The brief set by the Rotary Club of York for the trophy was to incorporate a dragon, the Rotary symbol and a boat. Gavin, who hopes to make a career out of props for film and television, also included a representation of the York city walls in his design."

The dragon boat challenge takes place between Scarborough and Lendal Bridges all day on July 13, and there will be music and stalls and events for all the family in the Museum Gardens and along the river bank.

Updated: 10:00 Friday, April 18, 2003