THE bank holiday weekend went off with a bang – and a quack – in Charmouth.

Charmouth Primary School PTA hosted its annual barbecue and duck race on Sunday afternoon, and the Charmouth Fayre committee kept people entertained into the night with the Party in the Park.

Hundreds of people turned out to the river side to watch the duck race.

All 1,000 ducks were sold and the race was started by Charmouth Parish Council chairman Coun Mallory Haytor.

The first three ducks home, numbers 111, 814 and 2, were all bought by locals who went away with cash prizes, and the last duck home was a Seadown caravan owner.

Bacon rolls and cream teas also sold out, helping to raise more than £1,200 for Charmouth Primary School.

PTA member Linda Bearpark said: “There was a lovely relaxed atmosphere as locals and holidaymakers mixed and laughed in the sun on the end of Seadown caravan site, which Sally and Mark Osbourne allowed the PTA to set up on.”

The PTA would like to thank all the duck sellers, the parish council for the use of the generator, the volunteers who helped on the day, and Charmouth Fire Brigade, for the loan of their ducks, especially firefighter Rachel Hamblett.

The third annual Party in the Park saw more than 1,000 people through the gates at Barr’s Lane Playing Field for an evening of live music from Mice with Glasses.

Charmouth Fayre secretary Anthea Gillings said: “People were thanking us for putting it on because they had such a brilliant time.

“The band was amazing again, they really got everyone up and dancing.

“The firework display at the end of the night was just incredible.

“Everyone was just thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere. It’s definitely now in the calendar for May and it seems to be appreciated.”

Following the band’s rendition of American Idiot early in the set, one youngster told them he could do a better job on the drums, so after the break they invited him up to play with them.

The first 200 children through the gates had a free burger, served up by Ian Simpson’s group of ‘Fat Dads’.

There was also a bottle stall, a candy floss machine run by Helen Hughes, and a bar run by Jeff Prosser, who was also celebrating his birthday.

The evening raised more than £2,000.

Mrs Gillings said: “The money raised helps to put on the fayre in August, then all the profits go to village organisations, mainly the youth and senior citizens and any particular project an organisation would like money for.”

The committee would like to thank all those who helped out.