A large box full of yellow rubber ducks were thrown from Banff Bridge this weekend to raise funds for north-east Christmas lights.
The Deveron Community Christmas Association, which used to be known as the Banff and Macduff Christmas Lights Group, annually hold a fundraising duck race.
The plastic toys are sponsored by local children and families before being tossed into the River Deveron.
Whoever owns the duck that reaches the net first wins a monetary prize.
This year Lisa-Marie Gray won the £100 prize after her young daughter Lily picked a duck.
Local coastguard teams assisted the committee in hauling all of the ducks from the river ensuring none could be left to pollute the water.
Member of the association Alex Irvine was one of the two who tipped the box of ducks into the water dressed in a duck costume for the event.
Known as the Deveron Duck, he also had the job of congratulating the winners of the group’s colour in a duck competition – the top entries being named McDuck, Uniduck, Sparklequack and Deveron Duck emblazoned with a picture of the bridge.
Mr Irvine said: “The duck race was a great success, the winner was Lisa-Marie Gray with duck 284.
“With the help of the local coastguard volunteers, all ducks were removed from the water afterwards.
“We raised enough to purchase four new Christmas lights for the towns this year.
“We’re also planning to invest in a couple of metal-frame Christmas trees, to reduce the waste of disposing of a real tree every year after Christmas.
“Special thanks to the Coastguard team and the teams in both Banff and Macduff Primary Schools who helped us sell the ducks as well as Tesco Banff and Banff Guides for their help.”
The ducks were offered to pupils in the local schools for £2 each as well as being sold in the supermarkets in the run up to the event.
To get in touch with the group, visit the Deveron Community Christmas Association Facebook page or email deveronchristmas@gmail.com
