Hot competition for wacky craft

The River Severn was taken over by wacky homemade rafts for the 28th annual Arley to Stourport race with teachers, company bosses, hairdressers, builders and students among 39 teams.

Last year's torrential downpours were replaced by scorching weather as rafts were pelted with eggs and flour from the bridge at Arley as they set off.

Gud Darts II T50 and Stio were joint first in a time of one hour 46-minutes. In the pubs and social groups class Western Express of Bewdley, were first in one hour 51-minutes.

Three teams from Kidderminster boat builders, Sealine International, were first, second and third in the business and companies class. Stourport barber Andy Evans and his 118 crew got the worst bombardment after hitting other crews as they prepared.

Other teams included Cleobury ladies rugby team – The Pink Floaters, Oakham Primary School staff, Tividale, helping Bliss, a premature babies charity, and St James's CofE Primary School.

Mobell Communications team of Hednesford – dressed as bees – competed for the first time in aid of the Krizevac project to put people to work at beehive centres in Malawi. The event is run by Kidderminster and District Lions Club each year and costs £10 to enter. Each team can also raise sponsorship for their charity.