IT WAS perfect day for ducks but not much good for those wanting to keep dry.

Yet despite the seeming regular downpours the rain failed to dampen the spirits of spectators at this year's Rotary Club of Old Town Duck Race at the Westcott Place Recreation Ground, in Wootton Bassett Road The fifth race held by the club proved to be the most successful yet and although figures are not yet in, organisers are confident of raising about £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief and disaster relief charities.

The action began at 3pm with the drake race, which saw more than 75 local firms each paying £50 each to enter while a smaller number of firms paid £100 for a golden drake. Despite the prestigious look of the golden birds, victory fell to a yellow duck in a close-knit float to the final.

Taking the plaudits at the finishing line was local estate agent Dreweatt Neate closely followed in by Home Lovers and Home Choice came in third.

Coming in last having got caught in some weeds along the way was the Bloor Homes drake which managed to arrive at the finish line almost an hour after the Drake race had ended.

Then it was the turn of the ducks to line up on the River Ray and no less than 6,500 were loaded into a hydraulic digger before the Adver's own Alfie the Alligator started the race.

This time the race was much faster paced and it took just 15 minutes before the first ducks began appearing near the finish line.

At one point it looked like there was a single clear winner, but currents dragged the duck aside and suddenly the finish line was flooded by a torrent of ducks.

Trevor Embling, vice-president of the club and duckmaster, said: "This is the most successful duck race in the history of the race.

"Considering it all started with just 3,000 five years ago, we are now entering 6,000 ducks and raising more than £10,000 for charity. It shows just how far we have come."

The Old Town Rotary Club raised almost £30,000 for the Adver-backed Swindon Cancer Appeal since it began in 2003.

Despite the appeal finishing, the club is still backing it, with three-quarters of the funds made from yesterday's race going to Macmillan.

  • Results 1st 3432 Roy, Swiss Chalet; 2nd 0681 O'Toole; 3rd 0128 Ray; 4th 2574 Chitty Proum; 5th 1058 Sarah Hoult; 6th 3720 Paul H.