HOW do you get ducks to race when they’re happy to just lie there in the sun?

This was the problem faced by Welshpool Firefighters as they staged their annual Open Day and Duck Race on Bank Holiday Monday held in support of Children with Cancer UK.

Hundreds of people turned out on a scorching Bank Holiday to watch the popular annual event, which sees over a thousand sponsored ducks released down the Montgomery Canal at Welshpool lock before being propelled towards the finish line at the wharf.

The day got underway at 1pm with a fun day at the town’s Fire Station featuring a cake stall, games and a raffle, before all eyes turned to the canal at 3pm for the main event.

Despite a less than dramatic start, as usual the town’s fire heroes took it all in their stride and found numerous quackers ways to coax the reluctant plastic birds to actually race.

The event raised a whopping £2,900 for Children with Cancer UK, with the winning entry donating their prize money of £200 to the charity.

Heidi Gannon, one of the organisers of the event, said that it was a “such a kind thing” for the winner, Kerry Chapman, to do.

“Thank you so much Kerry,” she said.

Second was won by Steve Oxford from Welshpool and third prize was won by Sharon Thomas, also from Welshpool.