HUNDREDS of people are expected to turn out for Whitworth’s annual New Year’s Day Duck Race.

More than 900 rubber ducks were launched into Cowm Reservoir on January 1, and organisers are hoping the event next week will be as successful as ever.

The Duck Race is organised by Whitworth Town Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee, in partnership with the Community Leisure Association of Whitworth (CLAW).

Anyone can sponsor a yellow rubber duck for £1 and enter it in the race, which has cash prizes of £75, £50 and £25 for first, second and third place.

There is also a wooden spoon prize for last place.

There are 1,000 ducks available to be raced, and organisers are expecting to have sold all of them come New Year’s Day.

The water-ski centre cafe at the reservoir will be serving refreshments on the day and the Cock and Magpie pub will be open after the event.

A duck has been bought by a resident in Australia, an indication of just how popular the event has become.

Organisers are looking for people to get involved and help out with the event.