PEOPLE wanting to take part in Durham's third annual duck race will be able to enter by sending a text message.

Sending the word "duck" to the number 60999 will cost £1.50, although people will still be able to buy a duck from outlets in the city for £1.

The event will be held on Sunday, November 6, when 20,000 plastic ducks will be dropped into the River Wear from Elvet Bridge and will race down to Kingsbridge.

The owner of the winning duck will receive £1,000.

Richard Toynbee, of the Durham City Forum, which is organising the event with Northumbrian Water and the Durham University Charities Kommittee, said he hoped the text service, which opened at the weekend, would increase entries.

In both previous years the event has raised more than £9,000 for charities.

This year's proceeds will be shared by WaterAid, Durham Mayor John Lightley's charity appeal, St Cuthbert's Hospice's Key Appeal and the appeal for Durham's Christmas lights.

"We have sold 50 ducks already. So far, we have only just put up a banner in the car park of the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre advertising it," said Mr Toynbee, adding: "We thought the text service will make it a little bit more accessible for people.''

Ticket sellers will be out over the weekend during the Durham Summer Festival.

Former Durham Mayor Mary Hawgood has received £500, from last year's event, for her appeal to raise funds for St Cuthbert's Hospice.