Thirty teams will be competing in this year's Abingdon Dragon Boat races on the River Thames on Sunday.

The charity day is organised by the Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper and since it started in 1999, more than £150,000 has been raised for charitable causes.

Dragon boat racing is one of Britain's most competitive water sports. A dragon boat is similar to a long canoe which requires a crew of 16 paddlers in fancy dress plus a drummer.

The teams representing schools, companies, health clubs and a range of organisations will battle for a trophy in a series of heats held throughout the day, starting at 10am and ending in the grand final at about 4.30pm.

The six fastest boats will compete in the final race for the main trophy made from a wooden oar donated by the Abingdon Rowing Club that won the first race.

The event is run by a company called The Organisation, which provides the boats and marshals along the 250-metre course and a following power boat in case of an emergency.

All competitors are given health and safety guidance before the racing starts. Each team pays an entrance fee of £420. A third of the amount teams raise through sponsorship goes to charities nominated by the Rotary Club and two-thirds to charities supported by the teams.

Rotary member and team co-ordinator Carol Hall, from Longworth, said: "It's one of the most colourful and exciting events of the year in Abingdon for both competitors and spectators and we are hoping for a good attendance. We want to see many people turn up in fancy dress, the more the merrier." Apart from enjoying the races, spe