FANCY-dressed fundraisers made a splash at West Bay at the annual RNLI raft race.

Thousands of spectators cheered from the harbourside and river banks as the 19 teams battled up the River Brit.

The Rose Rafters with Milly the Unicorn claimed the honours for the second successive year when they were the first home.

Organiser Alan Jackson, from the local branch of the RNLI, said: “It went very well indeed.

“There were some really good outfits and there were a couple of thousand people watching.”

He added: “Thanks to everyone who took part and helped out in any way.

“They include the coastguard, St John Ambulance, the harbourmaster and assistants and the Riverside restaurant.

“Our thanks go to the so many people who helped out.”

The Vinyl Monkeys played outside the George as the festivities continued.

The second team home was Lanehouse Dorchester with their Wimbledon themed float and Motorwell Mitsubishi were third home.

They also won the most sponsored for raising about £500.

Oscars wine bar of Crewkerne won the best fancy dress for their Flintstones theme.

The RNLI usually raised about £3,000 from the event although it may be down a little this year because of the recession.

The raft race has been going for more than 40 years.