Organisers of the annual Blue Anchor to Minehead raft race say they struck it lucky as the weather allowed the event to go ahead as planned.

More than 40 teams took part in Sunday's race – the 33rd to be run by Minehead lifeboat crew - in near-perfect conditions.

It was one of the few rain-free Sundays of the summer, and thousands of spectators lined Blue Anchor and Minehead seafronts to watch the start and finish of the five-mile event.

And street collections have already brought in more than £5,000 for RNLI funds – with more cash expected from team sponsorship.

But organiser Derek Williams said that at one point there were serious concerns as to whether the event would go ahead at all.

"Earlier in the week the forecast for Sunday was looking dreadful, but it gradually improved as time went on and in the end we managed to complete the day's full programme of events in the dry," he said.

"As it was, the bad weather came in on the Bank Holiday Monday - had it arrived 24 hours earlier we would probably have had to call the whole thing off."

Only one raft failed to complete the full course, breaking up as soon as its crew climbed on board at Blue Anchor.

And some impressive finish times were put up by rafters who had travelled from as far as the Midlands and the Home Counties to take part.

A programme of entertainment at Minehead harbour finished with the traditional fireworks display at 9.30pm, watched by a crowd estimated at well over 4,000.

Results

1 (Stan Rawle Trophy) Patrick's Gulpers, 2 (Ron Greenslade Trophy) Tring Rafters; first ladies' raft and first mixed team raft Tring Rafters; first local raft (Butlin's Cup) Valiant Solder, Roadwater; first fun raft (Neil Arnold Trophy) Happy Feet; most original raft (Mike Arnold Trophy) George Hocking; best pub entry (Louisa Cup) Black Pig; fancy dress trophy White Lodge; last local raft (Scuddy Memorial Trophy) Scud's Missiles; best decorated support boat Mike and William Webber.

More photos in this week's Free Press.