TEAMS of raft racers are being invited to make a splash in this year's silver jubilee event in Wyre Forest.

Kidderminster and District Lions have been organising the annual race for 25 years and have set this year's date as Sunday, May 15.

They are trying to get as big a turnout as they can to mark the special occasion and teams of between four and 10 people are invited to race on the River Severn from Arley to Stourport.

"We had about 50 rafts last year but, in its heyday, there were 100 or so," said one of the organisers, Colin Hill. "We're trying to build it up again so we want to give people plenty of time to build their rafts and get into training."

Last year, more than £2,000 was raised for charity and this year's choice is Acorns Hospice in Worcester, though individual teams can name their own good causes. Anyone who wants to enter can contact Ron Cross on 01299 825230 or e-mail: ron@arandel.freeserve.co.uk