HUNDREDS of people turned out for this year’s Gourock Yacht Club Raft Race at the weekend.

Despite weather forecasts predicting heavy rain and strong winds the sun shone as the participants took to the water.

A total of eight rafts took part in the race which followed a course along Ashton Prom finishing at Royal Gourock slipway.

Iain Rankin from Albert Road designed and built the winning raft, Team Tank, and celebrated with his team-mates.

Kirsty and Rod Adams travelled from Bournemouth to be part of the winning group alongside captain Eileen Hughes and her children Summer and Angus and first-time competitor Brian Murdoch.

Talented Iain also contributed to the construction of the other seven rafts in the competition and they all made it to the finish line.

The junior trophy was won by Bae Watch, comprising club cadets Annabelle, Katie, Fraser and Caroline.

Winners of the best raft were Disney Float Team, who dressed up as Disney characters.

Club social convenor Alison Allan said: "We were delighted when the sun came out for us on Saturday.

"Had the weather deteriorated the race would still have gone ahead, but the sunshine meant that everyone could sit outdoors and enjoy the warm weather and brilliant live music from Brass Sounds Inverclyde and The Drams.

"The annual race has become one of the most popular events in our social calendar, and we were delighted by the number of people who came along to join the fun - on and off the water."

Two good causes are set to benefit from the money made at the race.

The RNLI and Crohn's and Colitis UK will receive a share of the money.

Alison added: “This has been one of our best ever raft race days, with two good causes benefitting.

"Huge thanks to everyone who made it possible, but especially to Iain and Graeme Rankin, Alastair Smith, Kenny Wilson and staff at Royal Gourock."