Thousands of rubber ducks will take over the River Avon as the Rotary Club of Fordingbridge hosts a duck race to raise money for community projects and causes.

This year’s races have been sponsored by the Fordingbridge Farm Shop & Café, which opened in May.

The total number of ducks has been increased as this year’s race is a standalone event, with more than 2,500 ducks purchased by members of the public to take part in the main race on Saturday, July 22. A further 100 ducks sponsored by businesses taking part in a corporate race.

The winning duck’s owner will receive a prize of £500, while runner-up and third place will receive £200 and £100, respectively.

The Rotary Club is planning to transport the ducks by horse drawn cart to the Fordingbridge Recreation Ground before depositing them in the river.

The ducks will start their journey near the Great Bridge after the horse and cart drives into the river in a manner similar to that seen in the Hay Wain painting by John Constable.

Duck tickets can be purchased for £2 each from Rotary Club members outside the Fordingbridge Co-op on Fridays and Saturdays.