THE return of the annual Newlyn Raft Race proved to be as popular as it was competitive on Sunday, September 7.

With a full day of entertainment on Newlyn Green, the main event brought hundreds of spectators to the shoreline to watch local teams battle the waves on their handmade vessels.

The competition got underway with the children’s race, which was won by ‘Raft Lauren’, a team of sons and daughters of the Penzance Community Fire Station.

In the main raft race, the team from The Red Lion pub took an early lead on board their ‘Titanic II’, holding off last year’s winners ‘HMS Conor’ who were hot in pursuit.

The event was organised by Newlyn Harbour Lights with the vital support of Penlee Lifeboat.

The raft race raises money for the Christmas Harbour Lights and fireworks display in Newlyn which has been supported by Penzance Council for a number of years.