A DARRENER scooped a £1,000 prize in an annual duck race organised by Turton Rotary Club.

The event, which has run for two decades, allows supporters to buy a plastic duck and race it along a picturesque stretch of Bradshaw Brook, at Bradshaw Cricket Club, near Bolton.

After the disappointment of last year’s postponed race, which had to be called off because of heavy rain, the sun shone on this year’s contest and the event is expected to have raised more than £8,500 for good causes.

There were three heats and the top 12 ducks from each heat went into the grand final, won by Chris Smith, of Darwen, wife of Rotary Club member Alan Smith.

Mr Smith, 62, who was the club’s president last year, said: “It’s absolutely amazing and I’m a bit shocked that we’ve won.

“But the big thing about the event is that so many local charities benefit.

“We love doing it every year to help so many good causes.”