DRAGON boat racing returned to the River Dee on Sunday, with 16 teams battling it out for charity.
The Chester Charity Dragon Boat Festival has become a popular annual event since it began four years ago and once again spectators lined the banks of the Dee to cheer on their teams.
Dragon boat racing originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and is inspired by the ancient tale of an emperor's courtier who drowned himself.
Fishermen tried to save him by racing out in boats with beating drums to aid their strokes and spur them on.
These days there is no emperor to save, but a host of charities to support!
The 16 teams who took part on Sunday were representing 11 schools or charities. They included a team competing on behalf of the Chronicle-supported Miles of Smiles charity and one from Wirral-based solicitors Kirwan's - saucily named 'Wet Briefs on the Dee'!
Giving their all to take first place in the major final were defending champions from Wrexham, Ooh Wallah Wallah.
They were followed by HMS Albion Old Men, one of three teams who travelled from Liverpool to take part while the Chester-affiliated naval ship is docked there. Albion Sailors came third.
In the minor final, Albion Marines won ahead of Wheatsheaf Waiders and Marks and Spencer team Fire Breathing Dragons.
The dragon boats used were a massive 40ft long, had a large dragon's head on the front and held 16 paddlers.
