Lyme Regis will welcome in 2011 with two events on New Year’s Day.

Head down to Windsor Terrace for 12pm for the duck race down the River Lym, finishing at Jordan Flats.

Ducks are £1 each, available to buy at Windsor Terrace from 11.30am, and all proceeds will go to the town’s Christmas Lights fund.

Town crier Phil Street will be officiating for the event and RNLI crew will be in the water helping the ducks along.

Phil said: “We’ve had less lights this year because of the affordability but it’s always a nice display and makes the town look really festive.”

After the duck race, head down to the sandy beach for the Lyme Lunge at 1pm, when fancy dress ‘swimmers’ will head for the sea.

There isn’t usually much swimming – it’s a frantic charge for the sea, a quick dip, and a hasty exit to claim the hot soup on offer.

There will also be a prize for the best fancy dress.

The event, organised by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, is supporting Shelterbox and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, or charities of the participants’ choice.

Forms can be downloaded from www.lymeregisrotary.org