NEARLY £20,000 was raised from this year’s Monmouth raft race.

The 47th annual event was among the most successful ever, the organisers say.

It took place in September, when a bumper flotilla of 60 rafts took to the river Wye after the wettest summer for 100 years.

A total of £19,311 was raised, with £14,483 going to the main nominated charity, St David’s Hospice Care.

The remainder of the money is being donated by the Rotary Club of Monmouth to a variety of other local charities.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We’d like to thank Monmouth Rotary for organising such a superb event again this year and especially all the hardy souls, many of whom return year after year, for taking part in the raft race.”

The overall winning raft was number 155 Light It Up, entered by Leigh Woodington and sponsored by C.U.Lighting, in a time of 45min 24sec.

Willy Wonka’s Dreamboat, entered by Neil Henson, of Chepstow, raised the most sponsorship on the day, £1,300.

Next year’s event will take place on September 1 and details on how to enter can be found at monmouthraftrace.com