THE Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Geoff Reid described this year’s Dragon Boat Festival as “the big one” as he met team captains.

The eagerly-anticipated festival - which is in its third year - has proved so popular that organisers have opened registration for more teams to enter on the Sunday.

Cllr Reid welcomed captains and some team members to an event at City Hall where he showed off the spectacular trophy available to the winner.

Speaking at the get-together on Thursday evening, Cllr Reid said: “Thanks to you all for coming, and for your enthusiasm and involvement in the dragon boating.

“This is the big one. The Dragon Boat Festival is massive, both as an event and as a fundraiser. All we need now is the weather!

“There will be a lot of enthusiasm, come what may. But weather like last time would be very welcome.

“Let’s hope all goes well and let’s hope it is a massive event again.”

The festival will take place on the weekend of May 5 to 7 and is raising money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

This year’s Lord Mayor’s Appeal is raising money for YoungMinds. The charity helps children, young people and their parents to find out about the mental health and wellbeing services that are available to them. They also run a helpline for parents worried about the mental health of their children and HeadMeds which is a website about mental health medication for young people.

Cllr Reid said: “We want to raise money for them, but also to raise awareness of the name in Bradford.”

Meanwhile, demand for teams entering the festival has been high.

Organiser Razwana Mahmood said: “Due to demand, we have now opened up registration again but for the Sunday.

“By popular request, we have decided to change the format to mimic the Saturday, except that the teams will not be raising money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal but for other charities that are already part of the Corporate Day, for example Bradford Hospitals Children’s Charity, Leeds Children’s Hospitals Charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Centre Point, and In Touch Foundation.

“If you missed the boat for Saturday, then get registered for the Sunday before we sell out again!”

For more information, visit www.bradforddragonboatfestival.co.uk.