THOUSANDS of bright yellow ducks once again rushed down Glendinning Beck helping to raise £3,500 for mountain rescuers.

The annual duck race, organised by Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, drew in crowds from miles around who watched as 3,000 of the plastic birds battled currents and natural obstacles to make it over the finish line.

The event was held to pull in much-needed funds for the team - and also gave them a chance to unveil their new trailer, which will double up as both a control centre and a focus for educational activities and events.

The trailer has been bought thanks to a donation from the family and friends of Chris Bygate, who died in October 2012 after a fall.

Chairman of Trustees, John Williams, said: “We’ve never quite had the resources available to make something like this happen but the donation in memory of Chris has made it a reality.

“It’s been a lot of work for team members, particularly Glenn Bridge and Dave Freeborn, to get it all sorted out.

“Now we’ll be able to use this fantastic resource at events like the Duck Race and with groups so it has fundraising and educational benefits but it’s also been designed so that we can use it as an operational vehicle and a control centre if needed.”