The ducks start their epic voyage across the pond on Easter Sunday. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref exe 75479-15-12SH. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24

The Exmouth Lions Club annual duck race proved a popular event, raising more than £850 for the club’s welfare fund.

A quacking good time was had by all who cheered on scores of plastic ducks across the finishing line at the annual Easter duck race.

Cash prizes were up for grabs for those lucky ‘owners’ of the winning ducks.

The popular family event, organised by Exmouth Lions Club, raised more than £850 for the Lions’ Welfare fund.

Exmouth Lions Club spokesman David Laskey said: “The race was started by and the winning ducks adjudged by the Exmouth mayor, who said how much she enjoyed the event.

“As in previous years, families gathered very quickly just before the start of the race. The event was very successful and we had no difficulty selling all the ducks.”

After Exmouth mayor Sandy Sutton gave the off, and the ducks were released, Exmouth’s Air Training Corps gave their featherless friends a helping hand to reach the finish.

Mr Laskey said: “Once again, cadets of 299 Exmouth Squadron of the Air Training Corps not only provided invaluable help to our club, but two actually waded in to assist the ducks across the boating lake and round up stragglers.

“It was a successful event which we hope locals and visitors enjoyed.”