HEAVILY escorted by his keepers the giant duck re-appears in Ilkley in preparation for the Great Ilkley Duck Race – to be held this year on Saturday, April 20.

Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club co-presidents Jo Jarvis and Peter Mate authorised his release for the Ilkley Business Awards ceremony earlier this month, and consequent to his good behaviour he will be reappearing at various times to assist in yellow duck ticket sales.

As usual each yellow duck ticket will cost £2, and the first six ducks home will win prizes - £200 for first place, £100 for second, £75 for third and £50 each for fourth, fifth and sixth.

Profits will go to charity and the rotary club has identified six local charities for support this year: LS29 Special Needs Support Group; Ilkley Youth Club’s Summer of Fun; Great Ilkley Get Together Food Parcels; Clarke Foley Centre; Ilkley Community Transport and Ilkley Good Neighbours. Further donations to be added depending on the profits made.

Rotarians will be selling tickets at various places in the lead-up to the event including: The Grove Saturday Market, March 30; Tesco Car Park, Saturday April 6; The Real Food Market on The Grove, Sunday April 7; The Grove Saturday Market, April 13 and Tesco Car Park, Sunday April 14.

Tickets can also be bought online from the club's website – search Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary. On duck race day online sales will cease and tickets will only be available by the river and on The Grove up to 1pm.

The ducks will be under starters orders at 2pm, and will be launched into the Wharfe from the New Brook Street Bridge, with the finish line 350 metres, downstream. The first race is for 100 red ducks, sponsored by local businesses, at 2.15pm, with the big launch of up to 6,000 yellow ducks at 2.30pm. Results should be announced just after 3pm.

President Jo Jarvis said: “This is our fourth year and thanks to everyone who bought tickets last year we raised and donated over £14,000 to worthy causes. We also have to thank our business red duck sponsors – just take a look at their photos on our website – we have some really public spirited businesses in our thriving town and they deserve our support.”