The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge has announced that its annual duck race is now the biggest annual duck race in the whole of the UK, with more than 20,000 yellow ducks launched into the river on Easter Monday.

Roger Benn, Duck Race organiser said: “Blessed with nice sunshine, the crowds turned out in force on Easter Monday to support this year’s annual Rotary Duck Race.

"With over 20,000 yellow ducks and 575 red. green, blue and yellow business ducks launched into the river in the centre of Hebden Bridge, it’s now official that this is the biggest and most popular annual duck race in the whole of the UK.”

Details of all the winners can be found at www.hebdenbridgeduckrace.uk.

Roger continued: “We know people now travel from throughout the North of England to enjoy this event, many of whom will undoubtedly return for longer having discovered what the area has to offer, thus benefitting local businesses throughout the year.

"Whilst the proceeds are still being counted, it will definitely take us nearer to our £1million fund raising target.”

The Rotary Club thanked everyone who bought tickets and attended the annual event, adding that there may be disruption to the duck race in the future.

Roger said: The future of the duck race is a little uncertain at the moment, as if the planned flood prevention works to the walls of Hebden Water go ahead then the Duck Race will be missing for a couple of years, but whether it’s next year or 2029, it will definitely come back stronger than ever.

"The problem of course being that in the meantime local charities and good causes could miss out on more than £50,000 in much needed grants.”

Roger finished by saying: “Finally I’d like to thank the sponsors of this year’s event, CN Trading for supplying the biggest duck bucket in the County, Yorkshire Soap for their Mystery Prizes and main sponsor Benchmark Travel for their Holiday Vouchers.

"I’d also like to thank all the Rotarians and all the newly formed Friends of Rotary, without whose support the event could not have taken place, for all their hard work, not just on the day but also in the months of preparation leading up to it."