It may have been nice weather for ducks but the rain definitely didn’t deter a host of people who went to a duck race in the picturesque Carding Mill Valley.

And with the torrential downpours, previous fears that there would not be enough water in the valley’s stream soon dissolved on Saturday as hundreds of plastic ducks took to the water.

The action-packed day featured eight races including the Acorn Aintree Entree, the Organic Hurdles and the Plush Cycles Plish Plash. Cash prizes were donated by town shops and services for the event, which is hosted by Stretton Climate Care.

The day’s festivities kicked off with the official opening of the town’s £80,000 play area and then residents followed Stretton Climate Care member Tom Acton, star of BBCs ‘Victorian Farm’, up the hill in his all-electric car.

Chris Stratton, for the National Trust which owns Carding Mill Valley, said the wet weather was a blessing in disguise.

He said: “Despite a rather washed out day the duck races attracted an incredible amount of attention.