Friends and family supported teams of rowers from 36 different organisations throughout a day of racing, with all proceeds going to The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and Northamptonshire Young Carers.

Despite the unsettled weather, about 2,000 people were at Midsummer Meadow for a day of entertainment which also included live music from the Moulton 77 Brass Band and a show by Daventry Dog Club.

Hasse Marrum, festival chairman for the Rotary, said: "The day went really well. We had lots of attractions for the family and it was free entry which is very rare these days. We had representatives from all different sectors of the local community, which is nice."

In the last four years the Dragonboat race has raised more than £120,000 for charity and Mr Marrum said he was hoping for a figure in the region of £30,000 from this year's competition.

For the first time the race was sponsored by Allied Irish Bank (GB) and featured teams of 10 rowers keen to qualify for the grand final.

James Brown, general manager of Daro Cane Furniture, based in Kings Heath, Northampton, who have been race champions for the past three years, said: "It is all about fun and raising money for a good cause.
"We get together once a year and just by picking the right type of people we tend to do well."

Neil McKernan, group quality manager of Mahle Powertrain, an engineering company based in St James, Northampton, who were taking part in the boat race for only the second time, said: "The dragonboat race gets everyone together from the company. You can see the team spirit with all the families and friends here."

Reigning champs Daro had to settle for second place this year though, beaten by E7 Contracting, of Earls Barton, with Sywell-based Stuart Reynolds in third.