IT’S one of the wackiest events in west Dorset’s calendar and it raises thousands of pounds for a life-saving charity.

The RNLI’s raft race returned to West Bay on Thursday and was as fun-filled as ever.

Hundreds of people gathered around the harbour on a sunny evening to watch the rafts battle it out for first place – and there was no shortage of imagination with either the rafts or the costumes.

First place went to Couldn’t Think of a Name followed by the Lyme Bay Ribs aboard their raft Stupid Punts.

The Best Dressed went to Oscars Wine Bar, which has been taking part for an incredible 30 years. They created their Rampant Oscars raft in the style of a Duracell battery (replaced with Oscars).

The Most Entertaining went to the Eype Dodgy Rodgers crew with their raft The Hopeless.

Voltz taxi company won Most Sponsorship for their raft Fully Charged. The crew, dressed as the Flintstones, raised £531 for the RNLI.

The day raised £2,773 for the charity and organisers say they’re ‘delighted.’

Chairman of Bridport RNLI, Sadie Miles, said: “It was a very good turnout of locals and tourists. The rafts were amazing this year and it’s astonishing how much effort people put in putting them together. They were very impressive.

“It was a beautiful day – perfect – and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. On behalf of the committee I would like to thank everybody who came, took part and sponsored us. It’s always a great event.”

Organisers have thanked harbour master James Radcliffe, the George Hotel, Rick Willis and Mike and Gavin Stoodey for providing the rescue boat.