EXTRAVAGANTLY decorated ducks will return to Wroughton’s stream on Monday.

The annual Wroughton Duck Race will see scores of rubber ducks take a paddle on the village waterway. Over the past two decades the fun day has raised thousands for local children’s causes.

But under what spectators hope will be blue skies is a seething layer of competition as businesses eye up the coveted prize for best-dressed duck.

Every year, firms from Wroughton and further afield decorate their racing rubber ducks in ever more extravagant ways in an effort to claim the top prize.

Paul Hirst has been involved in helping to put on the annual race for the past 21 years.

“We started off with just eight pubs getting involved in that race,” he said. “This year, we’ve got 22 ducks involved – from pubs, local businesses and bigger businesses.

“The children love it, watching the little yellow ducks bob down the stream.”

The Mike Hinder Memorial Cup race will see people compete to race any floating object down the stream. Any materials are allowed, with “no electrics” the only rule.

The duck race was started 22 years ago by Mike Smith, who has since died and whose name is immortalised in the adults’ race. Paul said: “He had his idea. He said ‘look, I’ve seen duck races in other parts of the country. Why don’t we start one here? We’ve got a good stream through the centre of the village’. I think we bought 200 little ducks and we just ran a children’s race. The money goes to local children’s village groups.”

In the past, proceeds from the race have supported the football club, BMX pump track and Scouts.

The Wroughton Duck Race is on Monday, May 6, 1pm to 5pm.

All races will start at Fairwater House, with the finish line at Weir Field Bridge. Races from 1pm.

Entry for the children’s and adults’ race is £1 per duck. Prizes for first, second, third and last-placed ducks.