The annual St Neots Charity Dragon Boat Race day took place last weekend which saw 22 different teams battle it out on the Great River Ouse.

The event, which aims to raise funds for various charities, was co-organised by the St Neots Dragon Boat Team and the St Neots St Mary's Rotary Club. 

Teams took to the Regatta Meadow on August 17 for three rounds of racing and then a grand final. 

The overall winners of the race were the Young Guns II team, who dominated all three rounds, the semi-final, and the final. 

The winners of the St Neots Dragon Boat Race, Young Guns II.The winners of the St Neots Dragon Boat Race, Young Guns II. (Image: I-D Image Development)

In the final they raced against STS, who came in second place, and Pico Paddlers, who came in third.

Other teams on the water include Slade's Sailors (headed by the Mayor of St Neots, Cllr Richard Slade), St Neots Hocket Club, Taylor Wood 'U' Row Faster, and the Wintringham Wagtails.

The day of fierce competition on the water was also a day of collecting for charity, and more than £8,000 was raised at the Dragon Boat Race.

The total raised was £8,033.63 which will be split equally between the Mayor of St Neots, Cllr Richard Slade's chosen charities, as well as co-organisers, St Neots St Mary's Rotary Club's chosen charity.

Teams took to the River Great Ouse.Teams took to the River Great Ouse. (Image: I-D Image Development)

Half of the funds will be going to MAST, which is the Rotary Club's charity.

The other half will go to the following Mayor's Charities: Peppercorn Academy, VAMPS of St Neots, St Neots Players, Pocket Productions and Riverside Theatre Company.

Cllr Richard Slade said: "It was a very tense and exciting series of heats and finals with the eventual winners, and for the second year running, was Young Guns II.

"Our council team, Slade’s Sailors, alas didn’t make the semi-final, but we were delighted to be part of the event and councillors and officers enjoyed the challenge."