THOUSANDS of bath ducks will take to the water on Monday afternoon as the annual Old Town Rotary race returns to Wootton Bassett Road Recreation Ground.

The popular event sees up to 15,000 rubber ducks tipped into the stream behind the Runner pub. The birds take a short trip down the stream before they are netted by volunteers.

Whoever sponsors the winning duck stands to win £1,000, while the day-long event nets thousands for Rotary charities.

Rotarian Stephanie Trinci said: “It’s total yellow plastic duck madness. The ducks are thrown into the stream by a huge digger. All the ducks have to go in this massive digger and at 3.30pm they’ll be tipped over the bridge. They float under the road bridge and make their way down the stream.

“When they get going the river looks like a sea of yellow. It’s brilliant. You get little kids and dogs line the stream wanting to get in. There’s a lovely family atmosphere.”

The event also features a dog show, run by the Blue Cross, with registration from 11am. The final event – at 2.45pm – will be the dog with the waggiest tail. Musical groups will also feature on the bill, together with food, charity and craft stalls.

You can sponsor a duck on the day for £1. The Drake Race, for businesses, starts at 2.30pm on Monday, May 27. The main duck race is from 3.30pm.

The event starts from 11am on the Wootton Bassett Road Recreation Ground, opposite the Runner pub. For more, visit: rotaryoldtownswindon.uk.