Thousands of ducks took to the water in Norwich on Sunday as the Grand Norwich Duck Race 2017 got underway.

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The annual event, organised by children's charity Break, saw rubber ducks of all shapes and sizes float along the River Wensum in a battle to be crowned champion.

Kicking off from St George's Bridge, the ducks travelled to Fye Bridge with a little help from Norfolk Paddle Company volunteers, who were on hand to give them a nudge in the right direction.

The event was broken down in to two parts with a mini duck race featuring 3,000 small individual ducks and a corporate race with over 100 large decorated ducks.

People were given the opportunity to sponsor a mini duck for £2 for the chance to win prizes such as a family ticket to Pleasurewood Hills and a stay at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich.

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A large number of people gathered along the river to watch the races unfold.

Event Coordinator, Sarah Bunn said: 'The turn out for the Grand Norwich Duck Race was simply amazing, it's been an absolutely quacking day, with probably two to three thousand people coming along to enjoy the quirky, family fun.

She added: 'I'd just like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, The Ribs of Beef, Norfolk Paddle Company, The Broads Authority, and the Maids Head as well as our MC for the day Elliot Symmonds who kept everyone informed and in high spirits and of course to everyone that came along, you're all helping us to change young lives.'

Alan Boswell Group's Black Swan was crowned the winner of the Grand Duck Race 2017, taking home the trophy for the corporate ducks.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayor at the Grand Norwich Duck Race 2017. Photo: Jack EdwardsThe Lord Mayor at the Grand Norwich Duck Race 2017. Photo: Jack Edwards (Image: Jack Edwards)

An auction will be held in September to sell the painted ducks, raising crucial funds for Break.

Break works to provide children's homes for Looked After Children in their home local Authority. The charity has six mainstream children's home sin Norfolk and Cambridgeshire and a Therapeutic Fostering Service offering single placements to traumatised young people.

To find out more visit break-charity.org

Eastern Daily Press: Elliot Symonds MCing the Grand Norwich Duck Race 2017. Photo: Jack EdwardsElliot Symonds MCing the Grand Norwich Duck Race 2017. Photo: Jack Edwards (Image: Jack Edwards)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds flocked to watch the Grand Norwich Duck Race 2017. Photo: Keith StapletonCrowds flocked to watch the Grand Norwich Duck Race 2017. Photo: Keith Stapleton (Image: Keith Stapleton)