DUCKS of the rubber and yellow variety joined native wildlife on the River Itchen as fundraisers staged their annual charity race.

More than 2,000 plastic ducks were released onto the water at the White Swan pub in Mansbridge in front of a bumper bank holiday crowd.

Most of them had paid £1 each to sponsor a duck hoping it would be first to cross the finish line. There was £250 for the winner and 19 runners-up prizes.

Although many of the ducks were early casualties to the thick reed beds the majority made it down the course helped on by boat-based Marshalls from the Upper Hamble Canoe Club.

Money from the race which is organised by the Solent and Swanwick Lions Clubs goes straight back into the community funding a variety of charity requests.

President of the Solent Lions Maureen Bentley said: "The atmosphere has been wonderful, everyone seems to really enjoy the day. All the ducks were sold and the money is used for good causes in the community."

New members are always welcome to join the organisation. The Solent Lions meet at 8pm every second Monday in the month at the Master Builder in West End.