MONEY was raised for worthy local causes as a quirky cardboard boat race took to Windermere.

A record number of teams took part in the fourth annual Low Wood No Wood Cardboard Boat race at the Low Wood Bay Resort Hotel and Marina in glorious weather.

The event was sponsored and organised by Progression Solicitors, with support from English Lakes Hotels.

This year’s fun was part of a mission to raise money for St Mary’s Hospice, in Ulverston, and the Lake District Calvert Trust in Bassenthwaite, which the event has raised funds for in the past three years.

Ben Berry, of English Lakes Hotels, said: “It has been absolutely fantastic. We had some great fun and everyone had an amazing time and we raised lots of money for charity.”

St Mary’s Hospice, which entered its own boat for the event, capsized in spectacular style after getting only five metres from the starting point.

Furness Coastguard, which also entered the race, was taking part for the first time. James Rowland-Smith, of Furness Coastguard, said that the event had been a great success. He added: “It was really good, well organised and it is good to support local charities in the community.

“It’s really positive and it is good to see other services like the mountain rescue teams and GSK here. We definitely want to enter next year, and we’ll try and get some more teams if we can and encourage them and it would be good to see local businesses too.”

There was an extended armada battle this year, with the best teams hand-picked to take on the Low Wood “Sea Monster” for a chance to recover the treasure that would be donated to charity.

Those who brought home the treasure was Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team with its boat, The Map 2 .

The awards for this year’s event were presented by the High Sheriff of Cumbria, The Reverend Richard Lee, who said: “It has been a great day with wonderful weather and we have had great support from the Low Wood Bay Hotel. The place has been bouncing and it has been a real pleasure with lots of people and charities coming together to support each other.”