Astronauts float in first in raft race

THE Beatles, Bob the Builder and even the odd astronaut braved the icy temperatures of the River Derwent for the annual Matlock Raft Race.

More than 15,000 people lined the banks of the river for the traditional Boxing Day event which sees a variety of home-made rafts and rubber dinghies set sail in aid of charity.

Challenging: The annual Boxing Day raft race from Matlock to Cromford passes through Matlock Bath. Competitors have to contend with being flour-bombed by spectators who, in turn, get a good soaking.

The 47th race attracted 45 teams and raised more than £7,900 for organisations including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and St John Ambulance.

The Derbyshire Association of Sub Aqua Clubs organises the event, which, they say, goes from strength to strength every year.

Chairman Richard Middleton said: "It was another successful year for us with more than 15,000 people coming out to support the event.

"It gets more popular every time.

"I am always surprised by the ideas that people come up with to decorate their rafts, you get something new every year."

The aim of the race is to see who can make it down the River Derwent, from Matlock to Cromford, with the most style.

Members of the teams taking part not only had to navigate their way along the course but also avoid bags of flour being thrown by spectators.

This year's winner was picked by the deputy Mayor of Matlock, Stephen Flitter, who chose a team of astronauts from the Midland Sub Aqua Club for their space shuttle-style raft. The Derby branch of the British Sub Aqua Club sailed away with second place in their Beatles-inspired creation, with the Tansley branch of the British Sub Aqua Club coming in a close third.

But it was not only the competitors that got wet. Some of the rafts came complete with water pistols to soak the crowds.

Among the spectators were Dave and Karen Killick who had travelled from Leamington Spa with their children Freya, 10, and Joseph, 11, to watch the event for the fourth year running.

Mrs Killick said: "It is such a fun, community-driven event that we have come back every year since we stumbled across it four years ago.

"There were some great rafts this year but the best was definitely the Beatles one."

Holly Pickard, of Clowne, was there to support her father, Alan, who was taking part in the raft race.

She said: "My dad was one of 18 people on a raft. They are all very brave as it is so cold in the water.