A POPULAR village event raised more than £3,000 for two charities at its 19th annual race.

The White Notley Duck Race was back for another year.

The dedicated event committee sold all 1,300 ducks, which raced down the River Brain at great speed due to the rainfall during the event.

Children enjoyed face painting by a Brush Load of Fun, the candy floss machine, games and prizes as several businesses and all the volunteers pulled together to create the fun-filled day.

The popular village pub The Cross Keys also hosted Eden J for live music, Gemma’s Farm animals, a barbecue, tug of war, and announced the winners of the race and raffle.

Fun - The whole village enjoyed watching the ducks cross the finish line. Fun - The whole village enjoyed watching the ducks cross the finish line. (Image: Emma Hughes)

The total raised was £3,250, which will go to the Strokes Association and Mind mental health charity, as well as back into the village.

Emma Hughes, one of the event’s organisers, said: “This year’s funds were the biggest we’ve raised so far.

“We successfully raised the money for a war memorial we want to put in the village, which will now go ahead.

“And these two charities are very close to our hearts as we sadly lost a villager this year.

 “The dedication and hard work of the people behind the Duck Race and the massive support from our local businesses has been amazing.”

Exciting - The crowd was eagerly anticipating the winning ducks. Exciting - The crowd was eagerly anticipating the winning ducks. (Image: Emma Hughes)

There were prizes for the first ten ducks in the race, from £100 in cash for first place, a two-course meal for two at the Cross Keys for fourth place, to tickets and vouchers for days out.

Raffle prizes included a clay pigeon shooting lesson, entry tickets to Chelmsford City Racecourse, and beauty and food hamper vouchers.

There were also guessing games of the weight of a cake and the number of sweets in a jar, toss the hoop, coconut shy, hook a duck, and splat the rat, which Emma said helped raise more important funds.

Great - The Duck Race Committee, Cross Keys pub, and other local businesses all supported the event. Great - The Duck Race Committee, Cross Keys pub, and other local businesses all supported the event. (Image: Emma Hughes)

Emma continued: “This year was such a great turnout, and we had the duck signs up on the approach to the village.

“Next year’s race is a big one as it’s our 20th anniversary.

“We’re hoping to be bigger and better."

The 20th annual White Notley Duck Race will take place next summer.