A FUN event guaranteed to make a splash on the charity calendar will still take place this year, despite the death of its founder.

Businessman Eddie Dunn set up the River Wear Bath Race 14 years ago, partly to promote his company, Bathroom Unique.

It quickly caught on and became a regular fixture over the August Bank Holiday weekend, on a quarter-mile course between Fatfield Bridge and Sir James Steel Park, in Washington.

Down the years, competitors have devised some novel and colourful craft, all based on the simple bath tub.

But the death of Mr Dunn earlier this year cast doubt over the future of the event.

It has now emerged that the bath tub regatta will take place after all, with the backing of Jan Hall and colleagues at store chain Asda's regional distribution centre, in Washington.

Ms Hall, Asda's local community events organiser, said she and her workmates had enjoyed taking part in the race so much that they were keen to ensure it continued.

"We're going to keep it along exactly the same lines. The only basic rule is that as long as it was originally a bath tub then anything goes, as long as it hasn't got a motor," she said.

Trophies will be awarded for the race winner and the crew raising the most money for charity.

Because of the shortage of time, it has now been put back from August Bank Holiday to Sunday, September 15, starting at 11am to coincide with optimum tides.

Competing crews will be asked to be at the start line, at Fatfield Bridge, for 10am.

Further details are available on 0191-501 8109.