Yellow ducks and red ducks galore in Great Duck Derby run by Sidmouth Lions

SIDMOUTH will be going quackers on Sunday, with the Lions Club of Sidmouth’s annual Great Duck Derby on the River Sid.

Events start at 2.15pm by Sid Park Road bridge at the Byes, with children’s duck and spoon races.

These are followed by the corporate duck race starting at 2.45pm, those little red critters having been sponsored by local businesses, with donations of �5 or more.

There will be duck and spoon races and a duck picture competition too.

Hundreds of yellow plastic ducks will be launched into the River Sid from the bridge for the main race, which starts at 3pm.

The first yellow duck to descend the weir above Waterloo Bridge, Salcombe Road, will earn its owner �400 in prize money.

Second prize is �100, third is �75 and there are six �40 and 10 �20 ‘swimmer-up’ prizes.

Yellow duck tickets are �1 each, available on the day from Sidmouth Lions’ gazebos near the race start and finish points.

Proceeds from the races will go mainly to charities CLIC Sargent, Exeter-based Nightstop and Sidmouth Lions charity activities. Last year’s duck derby benefited charities to the tune of �4,821.

Skinners Construction will launch the red ducks for the corporate race. Last year it gave its �900 prize money to Sidmouth Hospiscare, as did third prize-winners Annies Leather Goods and Gifts. Runner-up Halls Estate Agents donated �500 to FORCE cancer support charity.

Meanwhile ducks are hidden in shops around the town until Saturday and prizes will be awarded to children aged five to seven and eight to 11, who correctly locate the most numbered ducks on entry forms available from Gliddons toyshop, Church Street.

Forms must be returned to the shop by 5pm on Saturday, July 16.

Duck and spoon races in The Byes for children aged up to 11, will take place between 2.15pm and 2.45pm on Sunday and there could be mums’ and dads’ races too.

Entrants must register by 2pm at the Lions’ tent by Sid Park Road bridge.

A duck picture competition will be judged on Sunday and prizes will be awarded in four categories – three to five years, six to seven, eight to nine and 10-11 year-olds. Entries must be registered by 2pm Sunday at the Lions’ tent by the bridge.