THERE was one sporting event the rain just could not spoil at the weekend when 300 people took to the waters off Minehead for the annual raft race in aid of the RNLI.

This year saw 30 teams paddling for top honours, with many having travelled hundreds of miles just to take part.

The winning team called 'Wonder Y' came from Tring to take their second consecutive raft race win.

Last year they completed the course 36 minutes and 24 seconds, but slightly rougher weather slowed down this year's winning time to just over an hour.

The 'Ys' beat a crew from Ross on Wye into second place, while the Tring ladies team also notched up a win as the first female finishers.

Another team travelled from Melksham to compete in their 20th raft race - having missed only one race in the event's 21-year history - while the farthest flung came from Rugby.

For others, their home-made rafts were not quite up to the challenge and several had to be towed back to the harbour just in time for the presentations.

Organiser Derek Williams said he hoped the race had raised at least £2,000 for the lifeboat charity and thanked the local sponsors who supported the grand firework finale.