A CROWD of around 1,500 people braved the rain to cheer on their competitors at a quacking day out on Bank Holiday Monday.

Hundreds of neighbours, families and friends beelined to Bowls Club Bridge in Malmesbury on Monday, May 6 to watch the highly anticipated duck race.

Around 900 rubber ducks bobbed down the River Avon and after a tense race, The Vickers' duckling was crowned the winner. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Malmesbury Duck Race on Bank Holiday Monday Malmesbury Duck Race on Bank Holiday Monday (Image: Robert Peel)

After the excitement of the race finish subsided, families wandered down to Cuckingstool Mead to enjoy a children's fair, a dog show and a barbeque. 

The fun family day out was organised by an enthusiastic team of friends, who regularly meet at the Rose and Crown pub, who wanted to do something big to raise lots of money for mental health charity Mind. 

They chose Mind because two young people from the town have committed suicide in the past year and they wanted to raise awareness for mental health and signpost some of the charity's services.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: The enthusiastic team of friends, who regularly meet at the Rose and Crown pub, who helped organise the duck race The enthusiastic team of friends, who regularly meet at the Rose and Crown pub, who helped organise the duck race (Image: Neil Wilkinson)
Neil Wilkinson, who has been instrumental in organising the day, thinks that the event has surpassed last year's £3,000 target. 

Mr Wilkinson said: "We wanted to go bigger and better from last year and introduced a May Fair where we had a children’s fair supplied by George Scarrots of Wootton Bassett, a dog show, bar and barbeque and other community stalls.

"We were humbled and blown away by the support of the town and would like to thank everyone who braved the showers to make it such a successful event, especially the residents of St John's street, Baskerville Hill and Malmesbury Bowls and Social Club.

"The atmosphere was fun and friendly, and the kids cheered their ducks along.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: The enthusiastic team of friends, who regularly meet at the Rose and Crown pub, who helped organise the duck race The enthusiastic team of friends, who regularly meet at the Rose and Crown pub, who helped organise the duck race (Image: Neil Wilkinson)

"We are still working out how much money we raised, but it will certainly be more than the £3,000 raised last year.

"Most of the money will go towards Mind, and the rest will go to small local charities and organisations that the community will choose.

"A big shout out to John and Sarah Taylor from Toy expert in Malmesbury who went above and beyond and Jack Lee and Cameron Robinson from the Rose and Crown pub who both put months of hard work in ensuring the event was a success.

"Also to Robert Peel for the great photos and to the locals and staff from the Rose and Crown who helped on the day."

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: The dog show The dog show (Image: Neil Wilkinson)