Thousands watch on as ducks put on a show

Thousands turned out for the annual festive event, organised by Kenilworth Lions Club, in Abbey Fields, with 1,500 plastic ducks launched at the ford at midday, with people buying duck tickets to back a winner.

It marked a roaring return for the event following last year when freezing temperatures created problems for the race. Organisers had awoken on Boxing Day 2010 to find the brook frozen over with two inch thick ice, but broke it up to hold the duck race on a shortened course.

This year people turned out in their droves, which was also helped by Kenilworth Castle opening its doors for free for two hours before. The mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Dave Shilton lead the countdown and his wife Shirley released the ducks.

Duck race committee chairman Gordon Henderson said: “The Boxing Day Duck Race was once again a great success. Well over a thousand people attended the event. After much ducking and weaving for 25 minutes the ducks arrived at the finish line to the cheers of the large crowd.

“The good weather helped to make the event a great incident-free day out for all of the spectators and organisers, and no lions or ducks were harmed in the running of the event. The ducks will return to their training camp in the new year to prepare for Boxing Day 2012.”

Over £5,000 was raised for the chosen charities.