Coracle fun on the river - in pictures

Dozens of paddlers from across the country took to the River Severn in Shropshire to help make a splash at an annual coracle extravaganza.

Ironbridge Coracle Regatta proved as successful as ever with more than 500 people lining the banks of the river for the event yesterday afternoon.

Crowds looked on as 40 competitors took part in the 22nd annual regatta.

Ironbridge Rowing Club was the hub for the activities and contests on the water included sprint races for novices, intermediates and experts and coracle polo.

There were also "fish kebab" challenges where teams of paddlers had to collect wooden fish from the water and also a competition to see who could spin their coracle the most in 30 seconds. Ironbridge Coracle Regatta is jointly organised by the Green Wood Centre, which promotes wood-based crafts and skills, Small Woods Association and members of the Ironbridge Lions.

The regatta at Dale End Park attracted people from across the country with their coracles.

Terry Kenny, one of the organisers, said the event was a great success.

"It was a fantastic day and everyone involved and all those watching certainly enjoyed themselves," he said.

The centre also ran a course for people to make their own coracle and seven people who attended took part in the regatta.