A host of teams dressed in flamboyant colours and fancy dress are expected to take to the river in Shrewsbury to raise vital cash for charity.

Teams of up to 20 people will be racing in 40ft long dragon boats down the River Severn to raise essential funds for the Severn Hospice.

The charity has announced its details for the 2009 Dragon Boat Festival, which will take place in June.

Last year nearly 800 people across 39 teams of 20 took part in the event for the hospice and about 2,000 people lined the banks of the river in Shrewsbury to watch it.

The team members, along with thousands of supporters, managed to raise a grand total of more than £70,000 for the Severn Hospice, which has sites in both Shrewsbury and Telford.

Lucy Proctor, community fundraising manager at the charity, said the race has become a top calendar event in Shrewsbury and regularly attracts hundreds of competitors.

She said: “The dragons have become part of the summer in Shrewsbury and we are delighted to launch the 2009 event, which will take place on June 28.

“Over the years this has proved to be a fantastic opportunity for friends, families and colleagues to get together and have fun while supporting the hospice.

“Places are always in great demand and anyone who would like to enter a team needs to get started as soon as possible.

“We raised £70,000 last year and we are hoping for the same amount of teams this year, which will hopefully mean we can raise as much as that again.”

Organisers said each team would be guaranteed three races and training and safety equipment would be provided.

Everybody who takes part will be asked to raise money for the charity, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Registration packs for the boat festival are available by e-mailing appeals@severn hospice.org.uk or alternatively calling (01743) 354450.