THOUSANDS of spectators lined Thorney Bay beach to watch adventurous sailors test the waters at Canvey’s annual raft race.

Two thousand people congregated at the bay on Sunday afternoon to cheer on the teams as intrepid raft builders battled their way across the water in three separate heats in a bid to be crowned the champion.

This year’s raft race, which is organised every year by the Canvey Rotary Club, was one of the biggest and best yet as 18 different teams took part.

Last year, only ten teams participated.

For the third year running, the Indee Rose Trust took home the winner’s prize of a £250 cheque and the Canvey Carnival Association, who were runners-up, were handed a case of wine.

They were given their prized by veteran Canvey councillor Ray Howard.

Rod Bishop, a member of the club and organiser of the event, said the day went really well and thanked the supporters and everybody who took part.

He said: “Everybody had a wonderful time and it was great to see so many people watching – there must have been about 2,000 people there.

“Two or three of the rafts came to grief and had to be rescued but other than that it went really well.

“We were really pleased to have the Southend RNLI and Grays RNLI boats there and Canvey coastguard came as well.

“I would like to thank them as well as the volunteers from Canvey Baywatch and the Canvey Sea Scouts for supplying and manning two safety rafts.”

Canvey Island Rugby Club juniors came in third place, Monkswick Stables were fourth, Crooks were fifth and Royal British Legion were sixth.

A prize was also given to Canvey Zumba for the best-looking craft, which was judged by Mr Howard.

For more information about the event, search for Canvey Rotary on Facebook.