HUNDREDS of people descended on Roberts Park in Saltaire to watch Bradford's first Dragon Boat racing event.

Twenty-two teams, many kitted out in fancy-dress, battled it out on Saturday in a series of enthralling - and wet - 200-metre sprints along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The racing had been due to happen on the adjacent River Aire, but heavy overnight rain had caused the water level and currents to rise and make it unsafe for the boats.

As it was, crowds gathered on the Victoria Road bridge, despite the wet weather to cheer the competitors and their oversized 'canoes' enthusiastically over the line.

After two rounds of exciting racing, two teams were left to take each other on in the final - Hamm Elephants and Appleton Crusaders.

The winners were Appleton Crusaders, from Appleton Academy in Wyke, who edged a neck-and-neck race on the line.

Hamm Elephants, who travelled from Germany and were representing the Lord Mayor of Hamm, were favourites going into the final, having posted the fastest time of the day in an earlier race.

The race was in aid of the Lord Mayor of Bradford's Appeal, with funds raised going to the Marie Curie Cancer Care and Make it Happen Appeal charities.

It is expected to have raised in excess of £20,000.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mike Gibbons, waved a ceremonial flag to get the event under way.

He said: "It was great to see a large number of people here in Roberts Park for the first-ever Lord Mayor's Dragon Boat Race.

"There were lots of teams all wanting to win and they all tried their very best. There are some very fit people here who have provided some fabulous racing.

"It has been on the canal instead of the river, but not even all the rain has dampened the spirits.

"We hope to have raised lots of money for my appeal. My appeal team have done a fabulous job in putting this together, along with the Dragon Boat company."

Each Dragon boat held 17 team members, made up of eight paddlers and a drummer. Organisers said every team must have a drummer. There was also a Dragon boat instructor to steer the boat.

All the teams entering were challenged to raise £1,200 per team for the charities, with prizes available to the highest fundraisers.

Julian Thursfield, events director at Race The Dragon, said it was too early to say how much money had been raised, but added that he expected the total to be more than £20,000.

He said: “I thought it went very well. For a first event to have 22 teams is fantastic – it is a superb achievement. Most first events have ten, 12 or 14 teams.

“And the crowds really enjoyed the day. We were delighted with it.”