HUNDREDS of paddling enthusiasts and spectators turned out once again for Worcester's annual dragon boat race.

28 teams, made up of mostly amateur paddlers, took part in 41 races throughout the event, now in its 24th year.

The Worcester News also entered a team into this year's event, represented by team Press Gang.

The dragon boat race is in aid of charity, with each team paying an admission fee and Worcester Dragon Racing Boat Racing Club matching the admission fee, as well as donations from each team for their chosen charities.

St Richard's Hospice and Asiatic Moon Bears were among the benefactors of the event.

Craig Cliff, race coordinator and membership secretary of Worcester Dragon Boat Racing Club, said: "We expect that around 1,500 people took part in and watched, which is absolutely great.

"Last year we had 22 teams, and this year we have 28, so it's getting bigger and better.

"It helps when the sun is out and it's a nice day in parts like it was today, it's great fun for everyone.

"Around 20 different charities are being supported today, and that's the main thing, and with this many people we should be raising a lot of money for them all."

The races were over a distance of around 350 metres, starting down stream from Worcester Rowing Club's centre, and finishing level with the club's premises.

There were plenty of prizes on offer too, including the Lea and Perrins Cup for the grand final winner and the Helen Cleaver Award- a rather special award in memory of Helen who passed away in 2012 after a battle with cancer, with the crew who showed the strongest team spirit throughout the day being named the winner.

There were also awards for the best scratch crew and competitors slugged it out for the Steve Yau silver platter.

The event went ahead on Sunday, June 8, with races partaken from 10am until 5pm.