ORGANISERS of the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival have issued a warning ahead of the event getting underway today.

The popular festival returns for the eighth time to Roberts Park, in Saltaire from today, with a number of youth teams battling it out on the River Aire to begin with.

Saturday will see the Lord Mayor’s Championship take place on day two of the 2023 event.

A total of 45 teams will compete with funds raised in aid of Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s neonatal appeal.

The festival then closes out on the Sunday with the multi-charity championship day, where up to 45 teams will paddle it out across two divisions for novice or experienced teams.

There will be live music and entertainment as well as stalls across the three days.

Entry and parking are free but organisers of the festival have been forced to issue a warning to the public this morning after several scams have emerged in the run-up to the event.

The post, which was published at 8.19am today, said: "BEWARE. There are sites popping up stating that they are the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival or similar trying to sell tickets to view the event.

"Please note these have nothing to do with the festival who is NOT live streaming any events.

"The event is free within the park and no tickets are required.

"We only have one official Facebook site and this is it! Thank you."

Several comments appeared under the post directing people to watch a live stream of the event and telling people they could get a ticket.

One comment, followed by a link, said: "Bradford Dragon Boat Festival Music & Arts Live Online. Get in your Ticket online."

The official Facebook page for the Dragon Boat Festival www.facebook.com/BradfordDragonboats

The organisers of the festival have urged people to use public transport to get to Roberts Park, where possible.

For more information visit: bradforddragonboatfestival.co.uk.