HUNDREDS of people gathered to watch as some unusual creatures took to the river Thames in Abingdon yesterday.

Sporting multi-coloured mohicans, false moustaches and tie-dye T-shirts, 200 challengers competed in the town’s annual Dragon Boat races.

A total of 16 teams from Oxford University, city hospitals and county charities battled it out in 40-foot long Chinese boats from 10am to 5pm.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper for the past 14 years the event has raised almost £400,000 for local and national charities.

Barbara Armstrong, team captain for the DUO Gondoliers from Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, said: “This is our third year, and we come back because it’s a ball. It’s great fun and it’s team-building.”

Doctors, nurses and administrators from the charity, which funds the urology department at the Churchill, competed dressed as Venetian Gondoliers.

Computer scientists from Oxford University competed for a third year as team Floating Points — a pun on the mathematical term for decimal places.

On their official entry form they gave their race strategy as “to win in style”.

Team member Julie Sheppard, 56, from Abingdon, joked: “We haven’t done any training, we trust in our software.”

Competing for their first year were the Suspicious Floaters team from RAF Brize Norton, raising money for research into Crohn’s Disease, an intestinal disorder.

Leading them was Corporal John Felton who suffers from Crohn’s disease and had to have his lower intestine removed five years ago.

Cpl Felton, originally from Swansea, said: “I think the race is all great fun – I didn’t realise how big it would be. The organisers have done a really good job.”

In the boats, teams of 16 rowers pull their oars to the beat of a drummer.

Teams are asked to raise sponsorship, giving two thirds to their chosen charity and donating the rest to the Rotary club which funds local groups.

Boats, life jackets and paddles are provided by the rotary club.

As well as the action on the river, visitors enjoyed fun fair rides, a bouncy castle, live music, a barbecue, beer and tea tents and arts and crafts stalls.

Lead organiser Sulwen Vaughan said: “This is one of the biggest events on the river, using the naturally beautiful background of the Thames. People know it is a fun day out even if they don’t compete.”