CROWDS gathered to watch thousands of toy ducks take to the River Wear in aid of charity yesterday.

The second annual Grand Duck Race was launched at Elvet Bridge, in Durham, by the city's mayor, Councillor Mary Hawgood.

Three JCB diggers from Diggerland, near Langley Park, tipped 20,000 plastic ducks into the river.

Although not all of them were sponsored, organisers are hopeful they will beat last year's fundraising tally of almost £8,000, which went to the mayor's charity appeal and the charity Water Aid.

The event is run by Durham City Forum with Northumbrian Water and the Durham University Charities Kommittee (Duck).

Organisers' spokeswoman Jill Dodds said: "There are 16,000 tickets in circulation, so hopefully we can get past the £10,000 mark this year - that would be fantastic."

A strong current in the Wear helped send the first duck over the finishing line down river at Kingsgate Bridge in under half an hour.

Last year, the race featured 10,000 ducks and took more than two hours.

But those who did buy a ticket face a tense wait to find out who has won the first prize of £1,000.

The owner of the fastest duck will be presented with their cheque by Coronation Street star and former Boyzone member, Keith Duffy, when he switches on Durham City's Christmas lights on Sunday, November 21.