THE biggest sea-going raft race in the country sets off from Blue Anchor on Sunday and promises to be a real treat for locals and visitors. The 22nd annual RNLI Blue Anchor to Minehead raft race attracts teams from all over the UK, some of them entering in a competitive spirit while fancy dress crews take part for the novelty. All have the same aim - to tackle the four-mile course from Blue Anchor to Minehead harbour and raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Last year, over 40 rafts took part raising several thousand pounds for the RNLI enabling it to train its volunteer crews to tackle a wide range of emergency scenarios. As well as the raft race, there will be a barbecue and disco and live music by the Gloria Lawrence Band at the Old Ship Aground and the Blackdown Samba Band outside the Beach Hotel. The event culminates with a firework spectacular on the harbour at dusk. Raft race committee chairman Derek Williams said: "The raft race seems to gather momentum every year with new teams applying to enter. "This year we have worked hard to ensure that there is a real carnival atmosphere with an even bigger fireworks display." As in previous years, the cost of staging the fireworks display has been generously funded by local businesses. "Without the support of the local business community we would not be able to put on the sort of free event Minehead has come to expect," said Derek.