MORE than 1,000 ducks were rescued from the River Yar on Saturday — the yellow plastic variety.

It was all part of the annual Yarmouth Duck Race, and all the ducks were scooped out of the water afterwards.

Yarmouth RNLI coxswain Howard Lester was among the rescuers, in the lead boat along with Yarmouth deputy mayor Jamie Allen.

The race was hosted by Yarmouth Sailing Club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and organised by the Yarmouth Carnival Committee.

Hundreds of people were on the bridge as the ducks set off.

Carnival committee chairman Chris Waddington said: "We had a fantastic turnout and a huge crowd in perfect conditions. We sold more ducks than last year and, as usual, all the money raised will go towards the various events we put on throughout the year for the town."

Master of ceremonies was Annie Reed.

The best dressed duck was awarded to Wight Marine's 'Rib-ber Duck', while the corporate duck race was won by 'Golden Girtie' of Yarmouth Sailing Club.

Results: 1 Anne Vernon, 2 Jamie Allen, 3 Janet Harding, 4 Amelie Callender, 5 Peter Headland, 6 James Hudleston.

Corporate race: 1 Golden Girtie (Yarmouth Sailing Club), 2 Candy Floss (Cheryl May), 3 Glampin (Glamping the Wight Way).

Best dressed duck, voted by Destination Yarmouth Facebook users: 1 Rib-Ber Duck (Wight Marine), 2 Golden Girtie (Yarmouth Sailing Club), 3 Candy Floss (Cheryl May).