LARGE crowds turned out to cheer on Otley's first Grand Charity Duck Race.

The event, held on the River Wharfe by Wharfemeadows Park last Saturday, June 25, saw spectators cheering on 1,000 yellow rubber ducks.

Duck number 681 proved victorious, winning the first prize of £100 Amazon vouchers for Izzie Lunn-Varney, who was celebrating her seventh birthday.

Second prize went to ten year old Nathan Hutchinson and his three year old brother Justin Cooper, who won £50 worth of vouchers, with third place and £25 of vouchers going to seven year old Beth Swales.

Ticket sales, meanwhile, combined with collections held at the riverside on the day by Bramhope Scouts and Cub leaders, raised £865.20 for local charities.

The money will be split between Bramhope Scouts, Otley Action for Older People and Otley Carnival's beneficiaries - Yorkshire Cancer Research, Wheatfields Hospice and Behind Closed Doors.

The race was sponsored by luxury independent living provider Adlington, whose Marketing Manager Claire Reede was delighted with the level of support shown.

She said: "It was great to see such a fantastic turnout on Saturday.

"We want to thank everyone who came and supported the race and helped make the day a success!

"The amount raised shows the outstanding effort from all of the community."

Orlaith Mooney of Behind Closed Doors added: "We’re over the moon to be chosen as one of the charities associated with the Otley Duck Race.

"The money raised will go towards helping more people in our region whose lives are affected by domestic abuse."

Adlington is building a multi-million pound complex in Otley, Adlington House, on the former All Saints Middle School site, off Bridge Street.

The 48 home riverside development is due to be completed by November and will consist of one, two and three bedroom apartments with 24 hour on-site care and support available if required.