Dragon Boat Festival taking to the water
This weekend will see hundreds of competitors battling it out on the River Severn in the annual Dragon Boat Festival.
The event, which raises money for Severn Hospice, takes place from 10.15am on Sunday with a base at Pengwern Boat Club, Shrewsbury.
It will see 33 teams racing 40ft dragon boats along the river to decide an overall champion.
Lucy Ruff, fundraising manager at Severn Hospice said they were looking forward to the event and are encouraging the public to come along and support the competitors from the riverbank.
She said: "We are all really looking forward to the Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday - it is a really enjoyable day out, whether you are part of one of the teams rowing or a spectator, there is always a really great atmosphere.
"All the teams make a really big effort and come up with some amazing fancy dress costumes; in recent years we have seen teams of Where's Wally, 101 Dalmatians, smurfs, minions, even a team of rowing Super Grans."
Each team competes in two heats and those with the quickest times go through to the semi-finals before six teams battle it out in the grand final to be crowned Dragon Boat Champions 2016.
Mrs Ruff said the event plays a huge part in raising money for the Severn Hospice.
She said: "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has entered a team; they have all been busy raising sponsorship money."
