Chester’s second ever duck race was a quacking success.

The event, on Saturday, September 20, was a huge success with hundreds of people lining the banks of the River Dee to watch.

The corporate race was won by Frank the Boiler Man – closely followed by Encirc and Chez Jules. Then the main pack followed with no duck a disappointment and no non-runners.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Chester were on hand to judge the best dressed duck which was won by Poppy from Walker Smith Way.

Highly commended were Lewis Ice Cream and NatWest Commercial Banking.

The following ducks were awarded special rosettes – Andrew Collinge, Armstrong, Bluestones, Clearcut, Dublcheck, EA technology, Halliwell Jones, Hickorys, Jones Melling, MBNA, Msoft, Pharmasure, Prodo, Puddleducks, Rivercatcher, Rowlinsons, Success Factory, The Botanist, The White Horse and Tewkesbury CE Primary School.

The most popular duck on Facebook was Costco for the second year running.

Along with the corporate duck race there were also 5,000 mini ducks released to race down the river, a number of craft stalls and some wonderful choir performances by local schoolchildren.

Lesley Woodhead from the Countess of Chester Hospital Fundraising Team said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and support. The ducks were a credit to all your imagination and thought and much loved by the crowds that came to cheer them on.

“I am delighted to announce that we made £20k profit for the Babygrow Appeal. Thank you so much.

“We have already pencilled in the date for next year’s race as Saturday, September 19 and any companies wishing to reserve a corporate duck can do so no now to avoid disappointment.”

You can support the Countess of Chester Babygrow appeal at anytime by visiting their just giving page.