THERE were thrills and spills aplenty during a wet and wild Great Waterside Raft Race.

Teams splashed and paddled their way frantically around a course as they battled it out for supremacy on the water during the colourful annual contest.

Around ten rafts took to the water off Hythe Marina, including the Daily Echo’s very own vessel themed on the 1980s movie classic Ghostbusters.

As crowds watched from the shore team members proved they weren’t afraid of no boat by taking first place in one of the races they entered.

For the salty sea dogs who did end up in the water it was a pleasant enough way to cool off during what was one of the hottest days of the year in Hampshire.

Temperatures rocketed to 27C as ice cream vendors cashed in and sun hats and sun cream flew off the shelves. Met Office forecasters predict more sun is on the way this week but are warning that it will feel cooler with more unsettled weather towards Thursday and Friday.

  • Meanwhile a lifeboat crew was diverted from the raft race after a jetskier suffered a serious leg injury off Calshot Spit.

The man in his 20s had been riding his machine when he fell off and got his leg caught.

He was brought to shore by fellow jetskiers and given emergency treatment by a doctor from Calshot lifeboat.

He was stretchered further in land before being airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.