Duck race postponed due to high river levels

A popular annual duck race has been postponed due to high water levels on the River Avon.

Thousands of people head to the the event in Bradford-on-Avon, which was due to take place on Easter Monday.

But organisers said the river level is too high and "flowing far too quickly to safely go ahead with the event". The event has been rearranged for 6 May.

A statement on the town council website added: "This is rather unprecedented and has only happened once before – that we can remember."

The Easter tradition sees hundreds of yellow ducks launched from the Town Bridge into the river.

It offers participants prizes, which this year included vouchers for swimming lessons and the local builders' yard.

The statement added: "We know this was a disappointment to many, but we have a duty of care to our volunteers – particularly those on the water."

All ducks purchased already will be honoured for the new date.