CROWDS lined the banks of the River Wye to watch more than 200 people take part in the St David’s Foundation annual dragon boat race yesterday.

Fourteen teams launched their boats onto the water to negotiate the 500 yard course at Monmouth Rowing Club as 600 supporters looked on.

Many of the team donned eyecatching fancy dress outfits from sumo wrestlers to pirates and cavemen.

Among the Gwent teams taking part were The Theatre Titans from the Royal Gwent Theatre and The Ridgeway pub, Newport, team who donned Flower Power outfits.

Qualifying heats took place before the grand final.

The winning team was OPCO Construction, of Cardiff, who completed the course in 47 seconds, followed by The Ridgeway public house, Newport, team ‘Flower Power’ and The Cavemen, made up of friends from Newport, who came third.

The winners of the fancy dress competition was the ‘Where’s Wally’ team from Esporta, Cwmbran.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Foundation said: “The weather has been fantastic and hundreds of people have come to support the event. Families have also enjoyed the entertainment on the riverside to help raise muchneeded funds,” he said.

The BAE Systems team from Glascoed, who dressed as sumo wrestlers, won the prize for raising the most money for the charity, after raising £1,600.