MORE than 500 ducks took to the water in an annual race in Bewdley on New Year's Day.

The event was organised by the Kidderminster and District Lions Club and the proceeds, which are expected to be in the region of £500, will be donated to the Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester.

Participants were able to buy plastic ducks or make their own to enter in the race along the river.

They were launched on the north side of Bewdley Bridge and the first to pass Lax Lane was declared the winner.

The club was assisted by Wyre Forest Canoe Club, who helped to declare the winners and to perform the tricky task of retrieving the ducks from the river after the race.

Lions Club secretary, Ron Cross, said the event went "extremely well" and there were more entries compared with last year.

The first to cross the finishing line was Duck 19, which belonged to Mr Hancox, who has not claimed his prize and Duck 400, which was owned by Zak Mathieson, finished in second place.

A prize for the best dressed duck was awarded to seven-year-old Ben Fallon.