DAMP conditions failed to deter contestants at the annual Phil Washer Memorial Raft Race at Boscastle on Sunday.

A group of hardy youngsters entered the water at the harbour entrance on their inflatable animals of varying descriptions. They valiantly paddled at varying speeds cheered on by the huge crowd that had lined the harbour path.

The eventual winner was Isaac Buxton who received a trophy, second place went to Zac Wagenfuher and third place to Katie Bright. All other participants received medals.

Next to enter the water were the seniors on rafts of dubious floatability. Out of the five entries only one failed to make it very far past the start line and was unable to make the course.

The other four paddled and in some cases pushed their rafts out past the harbour mouth and back. The winners were 'Sobey's All Stars' on their pedal powered craft, second was 'The Mrs', and third place, only just, went to Camelford Young Farmers with 'Sink or Swim'.

Bideford Youth Pipe Band who played before the races started from the new Lower Bridge, and shanties afterwards from the Bencoolen Wreckers at the Cobwebb Inn.

Proceeds collected will go to the RNLI.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.