Over 2,000 yellow ducks are due to be launched down a river as a popular Duck Race event returns.

After a year of Covid, Eastleigh and Swanwick Lions Clubs are re-launching their Duck Race on Bank Holiday Monday on August 30.

At 2.30pm, 2,500 yellow ducks will be launched into the River Itchen from Mansbridge, just down from the White Swan pub, each one numbered to correspond with numbers on tickets sold to the public.

Depending on the amount of rain on the day, the ducks will make their way quickly or sedately down to the finish line at Woodmill.

Canoeists will be on hand to release any ducks getting stuck in the undergrowth and also to adjudicate on the winning ducks as they cross the line.

A spokesperson for Eastleigh Lions Club said: "Weather permitting it promises to be a fun filled family day and also quite a spectacle as the Itchen turns yellow for the afternoon.

"With the restrictions of the last eighteen months the Lions Clubs have had no opportunities to organise fund raising events, so we are delighted to be able to start raising money for deserving local causes, which is the main reason our members choose to be Lions."

There are many prizes for the owners of the successful ducks including a £250 first prize.

This race has been a regular entry in the Lion’s calendar and this will be the 32nd running of this event.