WORCESTER Dragon Boat Racing Club are holding their 15th annual dragon boat racing regatta on Sunday.

The unique sport will once again bring the River Severn alive with thrashing paddles and beating drums as the crews battle for top honours in the plate and Lea & Perrins Cup competition.

Colourful Chinese-style boats make a welcome return to the club's home water from their temporary base in Stourport.

The Chiron Volunteer Ambulance group are the nominated beneficiary for fund-raising this year and the participating crews from across the county will support their own chosen charitable causes as well.

Worcester's regatta has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charitable causes over the years with local youth schemes a regular focus for club sponsorship.

A dozen crews with hundreds of paddlers include Halcrow Dragons, who return to defend the cup title they won in 2004, while there are several new entries this year.

Young paddlers will be out in strength with two crews due to line up from Stourport.

There will be two timed qualifying rounds to separate the crews into cup and plate competitions.

The cup competition has a new twist this year with two rounds of racing leading to major and minor finals based on fastest aggregate times.

The plate competition is completed by semi-finals leading to a final to crown the novice champions.

The novice crew with the fastest time on the day earns the magnificent Steve Yeo silver salver and there are trophies across all categories, including mixed and juniors.

The regatta is on the river adjacent to Pitchcroft Racecourse and racing is scheduled from 10.30am with refreshments available throughout the day until the grand finals at around 4pm.

There is ample parking in the centre of the racecourse and riverside vantage points for an exciting and entertaining day of racing.

A spokeswoman said: "Most of those involved haven't raced before and we have provided training if they wanted it."

Further details are available through e-mailing info@worcester-dragons.org.uk