WATCHET’S annual bank holiday duck race on the Washford river turned into the Great Escape on Monday – nearly half the 250 bright yellow plastic ducks made a bid for freedom.
They broke through a wire-netting barrier and headed for the sea.
“The current in the river was stronger than usual because of the recent heavy rain,” said Terry Walker, who organised the race with his wife Maggie.
“The winning ducks were recovered by volunteers in the pool by the Market Street bridge, which is the end of the race,” Terry said.
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“We found about 50 ducks on the beach but a lot were bobbing away on the ebb tide and we didn’t expect to see them again.
“But some found their way into the harbour and the following day a man found 21on Doniford beach.”
Terry said that, by Wednesday, 110 of the 120 missing ducks had been recovered: “That was a relief, because they cost about £1 each.
He is still hoping that the remaining ten wanderers will eventually find their way home.