Video and pictures: Racers make a splash at coracle world championships in Shrewsbury

Teams of racers took their traditional wooden boats to the River Severn in Shrewsbury for the popular event held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Starting from Pengwern Boat Club, teams of four relayed across the width of the river while others lined the banks to watch yesterday.

Last year's event saw a total of £22,000 raised for Macmillan Cancer Support, and organisers were hoping to match that amount again this year.

Announcer and committee member Robert Boutflower said it was a fantastic day to be involved with – on and off the water.

He said: "We are always trying to make it lots of fun and, if you want to be, you can be seriously competitive. People do take part year after year after year.

"It is a fantastic event, we should raise somewhere about £30,000 this year.

"Over the eight events we have held it, we have raised about £160,000.

"When you're in the boats, you have to be determined and it can be really difficult.

"It is all about technique, you have to be calm and thoroughly determined."

Repeating their triumph from last year were a team from McMillan Masonry in Bishop's Castle. This year Tom, John and Ben McMillan, along with Duncan Robinson, were ready to take to the water with friends and family cheering them on.

Tom said: "A couple of pints and a burger – that's the secret.

"Last year in the final round the other team got stuck in a bush, so you do have to be careful of that because it slows you down.

"We had a go in practice, and our new addition looks good."

The event, which is all held in aid of Macmillan, is a major fundraising help for the charity locally.

Helen Knight, fundraising manager, said: "We had 36 teams this year, all from different businesses around the region. I would like to really thank my volunteers who put all of this together on behalf of Macmillan.

"Things like this raise money for the charity and make a massive difference to local services. We had two teams from Macmillan in the race this year – our support managers and benefits team."

It costs £28 an hour for a Macmillan nurse, helping people living with cancer and their families to receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.

There is a similar cost for providing lymphoedema specialists, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists, information radiographers and palliative care nurses.