HUNDREDS of bobbing plastic ducks raised hundreds of pounds for the Andover-based good neighbour charity Neigh-bourcare.

The ducks race involved so many yellow ducks, which are primarily designed for the baths of very small children, that several heats had to be run before the final float-off which involved the leading ten competitors.

The race is run on the River Anton in the centre of Andover near the Town Mills.

"It is something we like to do from time to time to raise money for the charity," said a spokeswoman.

"Each duck is numbered and costs a £1."

Test Valley mayor, Neville Whiteley, and mayoress Janet Whiteley were on hand to start the races by tipping the ducks into the water while Neighbourcare manager Pam Delderfield had the decidedly damp job of wading into the stream to act as race steward and keep the yellow ducks in order.

Madeline Chulk from Andover owned the winning duck and won the £50 first prize.