THE TRADITIONAL Richmond Duck Club Race saw about 2,000 plastic ducks let loose into the River Swale from Green Bridge.

The numbered ducks, correlating with numbered tickets bought for £1, were released at 2pm today (Monday, May 6), before navigating the Falls and collected at Station Bridge.

Spectator Fergus Brown said it was a great event, adding: “It was a lovely family atmosphere, and lots of youngsters were getting in the water too.

“It is obviously a great tradition and a lot of fun.”

The owner of the ticket matching the duck that finishes first wins £300, second place gets £200 and third receives £100. This year's winning ticket was number 1431.

All ticket proceeds go to the Richmond Duck Club, helping the youth of the town, including sports shirts for youth teams and equipment for special needs children.