CROWDS turned out in force yesterday to watch a closely fought race between hundreds of plastic ducks.

Local people took advantage of the sunny weather to trek down to the river Swale, at Richmond, North Yorkshire, to see town mayor Stuart Parsons get the race under way.

The ducks were tipped into the water at the Bridge of the Green and made their way downstream for half-a-mile where the winners were the first to pass the Mercury Bridge. The owner of the first duck received £300 worth of holiday vouchers. The second place took £200 in travel vouchers while the third won a meal worth £100. The owner of the last duck home received a £20 booby prize.