The Countess Charity hosted its sixth Duck Race with thousands of spectators coming out to see the popular annual event.

The 2018 Duck Race, sponsored by Hickory’s Smokehouse Chester and Puddle Ducks Chester, Wirral and North Wales, saw some spectacular corporate ducks adopted and decorated for the event.

With imaginations running wild, this year’s decorated ducks came in all shapes and sizes. Hoole Bank Day Nursery received a duck to decorate from Medical Air technology and turned it into ‘Duckkalo’, and The Chester Grosvenor Duck was donated to Woodfall Primary School and turned into Billy the Black Tailed Godwit.

The winners of the coveted prizes went to Hartey Wealth Management for the Facebook Favourite Trophy, Hillyer Mckweon won best celebrity look alike with Dougal the magic Duck. Best dressed trophies where taken by first time entry The Coach House Inn, Northgate Street with Frou a Cinderella inspired duck complete with carriage and best Dressed trophy by a children / youth group was taken by St Martins School Hoole whose duck was supported by City Build. Fasted Duck was Mr Chuck Feathers from C F Fertilisers who win a Team Building Day for 10 with The Success Factory.

Cllr Stuart Parker, Sheriff of Chester, attended the event and took on the difficult challenge of judging the decorated ducks.

The Groves was packed with people who had come down to view the Corporate Ducks, take part in the family activities and watch the amazing site of the 1000’s of baby ducks entering the water from the suspension bridge at 3pm.

The winners of the Baby Duck race who win £250, £150 and £100 respectively thanks to Puddle Ducks Chester, Wirral and North Wales where all pink ones this year with prizes going to: 1st - Yellow 1834 Gordon Vickers; 2nd - Pink 883 Susan Churchly; 3rd - Pink 1331 Beryl & Ron Furnival.

Hanna Clarke, corporate and events fundraising manager for The Countess Charity, said: “Thanks again to Hickory's Smokehouse Chester our sponsor for their support and Puddle Ducks Chester, Wirral & North Wales for providing the baby duck prizes and for bringing Puddle down on the day to meet everyone! And to all the companies who adopted and decorated a duck this year’s efforts where unbelievable.

"Thank you to everyone who supported the Chester Duck Race this year and of course the volunteers without whose support events like this would not be possible."

The 2018 Duck Race has raised over £20,000 taking the total amount of funds raised from the Duck Races to £127,000 This year’s race will fundraise for beds that will fold down from the wall in the intensive care unit, high dependency unit, and nurseries to enable parents to sleep more comfortably beside their baby.