THOUSANDS of yellow plastic ducks are poised to be released into the River Wharfe to race downstream in an annual event.

Around 3,500 ducks will be raising money for Burley Community Trust and the Burley Scouts and Guides.

Burley-in-Wharfedale Community Trust chairman, Duncan Ault, said: "We are so pleased that we can eventually run this event again this year. It is one of the most popular events in the Burley calendar, with lots of people coming down to the river to cheer on their duck.”

The event takes place at 2pm on Sunday, August 8, on the riverside east of Burley, adjacent to the road to Otley. The race costs £1 per duck to enter, with cash prizes (top prize £100). Tickets can be purchased at the Deli (cash and card) and around the village, and on the day of the race. The race will be followed by tea and delicious home-made cakes on the village green, organised by the Burley Guides.

A spokesperson for the event said: "The main access from the village is down Corn Mill Lane (near St Mary’s Church) which involves crossing the main A65 on the by-pass near to the roundabout. Alternatives are under the Iron Row tunnel or from the lay-by towards Otley. Local police have indicated that they will be present at the main road crossing but their presence cannot be guaranteed, and so please can people crossing take extra care and cross at their own risk.

"The River Wharfe can be fast flowing and deep and only authorised helpers should enter the water. Please note that parents must take responsibility for children and dogs, and exercise caution next to the river; this is an unsupervised event."

The owners of the winning ducks will be contacted individually. The prizes for the first five ducks who make it home are £100, £50, £25 and two lots of £10.

As well as the Duck Race, the Community Trust provides many services and facilities to benefit the village of Burley. It organises the village's Christmas lights, hanging baskets, the village website, the Wharfedale litter-picking Wombles, and helps with many more projects all around Burley.

In addition to fundraising events, the Community Trust also operates a membership scheme, where Burley residents can support the work of the Trust. New members are very welcome and renewals are now due for the 2021/22 membership year. Visit http://www.burleycommunitytrust.org/join-or-renew-online.html or email BWCTmembership@gmail.com for more details.