A TEAM from Webbs Garden Centre at Wychbold, near Worceter, roared to success in a national dragon boat competition.

The team were crowned winners of the annual Greenfingers appeal dragon boat racing trophy after winning all five of their races.

The crew of 14 rowers, plus a drummer, battled it out with other teams from the gardening industry at the event at Wicksteed Park, near Kettering.

Dressed in the style of the Hawaii-based television detective series of the 1970s, which starred Jack Lord, Webbs also won a trophy for the best outfits of the day and set the fastest time for a race at 1min 26secs down the 250 metre course.

All the funds raised from the sponsored event help to fund and develop gardens at UK children’s hospices.

Team captain Andy Wrightson said: "It was a fantastic day and we had to use all our combined strength and teamwork to win every race. The final was in the pouring rain but we gave the race our all and crossed the finishing line just ahead.

"We bought our training dragon boat from Pershore Phoenix Dragon Boat Club and they were a huge help in shaping us into the winning team. We owe them a big thank you."

Executive chairman Ed Webb added: "This race is an ideal combination of team building, family fun and charity fundraising. It’s great to know our team were a roaring success.