A MORNING of downpours left the spectators are soaked as the contestants when a keenly-contested raft race was staged on Walney Channel.

The Mail, on Monday, July 18 in 1988, noted: "It didn't matter if you were in the water or out of it - everyone got a soaking at the Barrow Round Table and The Mail charity raft race on Saturday.

"But the constant downpours did little to dampen the spirits of those taking part as 15 craft set sail, amid much hilarity, from Roa Island boat club.

"The comical armada pushed off a couple of minutes late on the four-mile race up the Walney Channel.

"One homemade vessel from Mr T's was scuppered before it had sailed 10 yards and the crew abandoned ship.

"The eventual winners streaked ahead like the boat crew from Hawaii Five-O to come home to the Ferry slipway in 49 minutes and 36 seconds.

"The four-man North Scale team paddled to victory for the fourth time in eight years.

"On the last three occasions they've sailed in first.

"Success is down to musclepower, practice and their trusty raft, The Rainbow, according to crew member Paul Doughty.

"He was joined by team members Terry and Craig Pugh and Clive Douglas.

"Second home in 53 minutes and 31 seconds was the raft Can't Slow Down, crewed by Frank Croft, Dave Croft, Dave Kendall and Nicholas Bates from North Scale.

"The entered their pedal-powered raft for the second time.

"And third was Thunderbirds R Go, paddled home in 56 minutes and 26 seconds by Glen Riley, David Devlin, Michael Neatis and Lee Neatis.

"A total of 13 of the 15 rafts made it to Walney - one was towed ashore when the craft disintegrated.

"But there were no mishaps or accidents to report - the only casualty of the morning being the charity gala in Vickerstown Park."

Round Table vice-chairman Paul Fitsimmons said: "It was a complete washout. It's one of those things that the weather makes or breaks."

The article noted: "Trophies will be presented to The Rainbow and Can't Slow Down teams, together with the St Mary's Church team who won the best designed raft award with Jonah's Joy - despite coming last in the raft race.

"Also in the prizes was the team from General Dynamics who earned the title of best dressed raft."

The presentation night was to be held in September after sponsorship money was collected.