NOVICE oarsmen and women enjoyed messing about on the river, finding a novel use for old bath tubs yesterday.

The annual River Wear Bath Tub Race saw 11 crews competing in unlikely looking craft, from Fatfield Bridge, in Washington, Wearside.

Three groups of decorated tubs and competitors in fancy-dress were timed along the quarter-mile course, ending at Sir James Steel Park.

Among the themes were pirates, the Village People, Pink Ladies and a 1970s-style crew from DIY chain B&Q.

The winners for the third year running were the crew from store group Asda's Regional Distribution Centre (RDC), in Washington.

The winners, in their tub Shrink Wrapped Sally II, included race veterans Doug Hunter and John Metherel, who were in last year's winning craft, plus rookies Will Kirton and Steve Green.

They took the winners' trophy and a bottle of bubbly. There will also be an award for the crew raising the most money for charity, when the totals are tallied.

Most of the money will go to the event's official charity, the Great North Air Ambulance Appeal, although some of the crews, representing pubs, clubs and businesses, raised sponsorship for their own good causes.

Organiser Jan Hall, of sponsor Asda RDC, said: "People will think it's a fix now they've won for the third year, but they seem to have the knack. It's a bit of fun and everyone had a good day, with plenty of support."

After the race, the crews enjoyed a barbecue and drinks in local riverside pubs.