A SPLASHING time was had at the annual raft race in West Bay.

Almost £3,000 was given to the RNLI as the quirky event once again attracted thousands of onlookers.

Braver souls made a splash as they took to the water in homemade rafts to race to the finish.

Motorwell’s team were the winners, following by the Bridport Round Table entry.

The winners have now taken the crown for the last three years, cementing their reputation as the team to beat.

Lanehouse Vauxhall's was named the best dressed raft, while the team also won the Ernie Hix Memorial Cup for collecting the most sponsorship money as members tallied up £270.

Organiser Alan Jackson, of the Bridport RNLI committee, said: “It went extremely well.

“We had 20 rafts enter and there were thousands of people waiting to watch."

“We raised nearly £3,000 and we are very pleased. It was just nice to see everyone out.”

The raft race is a fun event, as well as an opportunity to raise money for a good cause.

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The George pub provided music as an atmospheric backdrop to the event.

“Thank you to The George pub for supplying the music and for sponsoring,” added Mr Jackson. 

“Our thanks also goes to the harbourmaster and his team for their hard work and support and to everyone else who helped to make it such a successful event.”

Teams showed off their creativity with a range of themes including Lanehouse’s Minion Madness and the Silver Surfers from Bridport Building Supplies and the Magnificent Men in their Rafting Machine, courtesy of Oscar’s Wine Bar from Crewkerne.

There was disappointment for the Waitrose team as their raft capsized soon after the start.

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